Inmate frees 1 hand then flees police car

LEXINGTON, Ky. - Police in Lexington say an inmate being taken to jail freed one hand from his handcuffs in the back seat of the police car, then opened the door and fled when the car was stopped.

Police tell the Lexington Herald-Leader that inmate Mustafa Qasem then ran to an industrial shop, where he apparently cut off an electronic monitoring device during the escape Wednesday.

The 21-year-old had been on house arrest on charges of trafficking in a controlled substance, tampering with a security device and possession of drug paraphernalia. Police say he was taken into custody when he violated conditions of the house arrest.

Police spokeswoman Sherelle Roberts says there was nothing to indicate Qasem was armed, and police are asking the public for information on his whereabouts.