Navy Seeks Potentially Dangerous Escapee from Bangor Brig
By Elaine Helm,
ehelm@kitsapsun.com
November 14, 2005
The wife and children of a potentially dangerous prisoner who escaped Sunday afternoon from the Naval Base Kitsap brig at Bangor are in secure housing today as Navy criminal investigators continue to search for him.
James Tait Praefke, a 37-year-old aviation electricians mate previously stationed at Naval Air Station Whidbey Island, was assigned to pick up food from a mess hall under the supervision of an escort when he managed to get away, according to Navy spokesman Lt. Cmdr. John Daniels.
"Somewhere along the way his escort lost sight of him and he escaped," Daniels said. It is the first and only escape from the Bangor Navy brig in recent years.
Navy officials believe Praefke may have left the base, although security searched all vehicles leaving through Bangor’s two main gates after he evaded his escort, Daniels said.
Praefke was convicted Oct. 4 of possessing stolen ammunition and illegally storing explosives. He was awaiting a transfer to a long-term Navy prison facility in San Diego to carry out his three-year sentence.
Keran Praefke told the Whidbey News-Times this month that she was afraid of her husband.
"He’s a terrorist," she said, according to the paper. "He never had to explain what he was going to do with the explosives. ... It’s not just my family that’s in danger. When he gets out, I don’t know what he’ll do."
James Praefke is considered armed, dangerous and likely to resist arrest.
He was last seen wearing desert camouflage. He is 6 feet, 3 inches tall and weighs 220 pounds. He has red hair, green eyes and acne scars on his chin and neck.
Anyone who comes in contact with Praefke should call local law enforcement, Special Agent Matthew Clement of the U.S. Naval Criminal Investigative Service at (360) 340-3923 or the officer on duty at (360) 478-3578.
They have never and will not listen to her despite Jim having escaped from prison. )
