Maui prisoner makes brief escape at Circuit Court

A prison inmate who was being taken to Maui Circuit Court in Wailuku escaped on Monday, but was caught by a corrections officer after he ran about 100 yards.

The inmate, Kristopher Sharrott, will be charged with escape, Public Safety Department spokeswoman Toni Schwartz said.

Schwartz said Sharrott was being taken to court for a pretrial hearing on a charge of first-degree robbery and second-degree theft.

When the van arrived at court at 8:25 a.m., corrections officers unloaded the van and Sharrott immediately tried to run, she said.

Schwartz said Sharrott was fully shackled during the transport but somehow managed to get his leg shackles off.

“How he got his leg shackles off is under investigation,” Schwartz said.

The Sheriff Division is conducting the investigation.