Woman flees Berea court shortly after receiving jail sentence - cleveland.com
BEREA, Ohio -- Authorities are searching for a woman accused of fleeing from a Berea court shortly after she was sentenced to six months in jail. Stephanie Rybkoski, 42, of North Canton, is charged with escape, assault and resisting arrest in the incident, which happened about 1:45 p. m. July 31 at Berea Municipal Court. Rybkoski was in court for a sentencing hearing after being convicted of a theft that happened in Strongsville, according to court records. Judge Mark A. Comstock had just sentenced Rybkoski to 180 days in jail when she asked to use a phone to call home. The bailiff followed Rybkoski to her 2001 Chevrolet Blazer and repeatedly told her she could not leave the courthouse. After sentencing, prisoners typically remain in the courtroom until officers from the arresting agency arrive to take custody, said Stacia Bellini, administrator of judicial operations at the Berea Municipal Court. The court does not have a policy that requires prisoners be handcuffed after sentencing, Bellini said. Source: www.cleveland.com
