Hostages released in Pauls Valley escape attempt

(Pauls Valley-AP) -- The third and final hostage held in a Pauls Valley drug store is free and the Garvin County Jail inmate who held them is in custody.<br><br>The woman was allowed to leave the store

Tuesday, October 7th 2003, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

(Pauls Valley-AP) -- The third and final hostage held in a Pauls Valley drug store is free and the Garvin County Jail inmate who held them is in custody.

The woman was allowed to leave the store about 3:15 Tuesday afternoon after more than three hours and inmate Phillip Hill was arrested after passing out.

Hill was arrested more than a month ago on drug charges. Police said while inside the pharmacy, Hill was ingesting promethazine and injecting morphine.

Sheriff Bill Roady says Hill appeared to be hooked on drugs.

Oklahoma Highway Patrol Lieutenant Brandon Kopepasah says Hill overpowered a deputy and took his handgun about noon. The inmate then released the deputy and locked himself inside the drug store with three female hostages.

The first hostage was released about 1 o'clock and the second about 2:30.

Kopepasah says the inmate had been taken to a doctor's office Tuesday morning before he overpowered the deputy. The deputy was treated and released at a local hospital.