RAYBURN TWP, Armstrong County — The man who escaped Armstrong County Jail and is accused of allegedly strangling and beating a woman to death was placed in the Butler County Prison on Friday.

Robert Crissman, 38, of Templeton is charged with homicide, escaping prison, aggravated assault of a police officer, and theft of a gun and two trucks, according to Scott Andreassi, Armstrong County District Attorney.

Crissman was arraigned in Armstrong County and then taken to the Butler County Prison.

“We didn't think it was appropriate to take him back to that facility,” Andreassi said of the Armstrong jail.

Crissman is charged with killing 55-year-old Tammy Long shortly after fleeing prison. Long's body was discovered by her boyfriend Thursday afternoon in the bathroom of their home on Rayburn Road off Route 85 east of Kittanning.

Andreassi said Crissman knew Long and her boyfriend, Jerry Slagle, before arriving at their house Thursday morning.

Crissman was arrested on Williamson Road in Boggs Township following a 5- to 10-mile police chase across three roads, Andreassi said. The arrest came about 26 hours after he had escaped from the jail.

Crissman lost control of the stolen truck he was driving about 8:40 a.m. after he rammed into the back of a police cruiser involved in the pursuit.

Andreassi said authorities were dispatched to the area of Mosgrove Road in Boggs Township after the Armstrong County 911 center received a call from a resident who believed Crissman was at her door.

Dispatcher Nelda Martin said the woman called and said a man matching the description of the escaped fugitive was at her door, asking for help.

Other residents had called saying they believed they saw Crissman in the same area, walking with a gas can.

The woman told Crissman to wait a minute, locked her door, then called 911.

“Police were dispatched immediately,” Martin said.

The caller, who had two young children in her home, remained on the line with dispatchers as Crissman continued to knock on her door. After a few minutes, he stole the woman's truck that was parked in the driveway and fled.

Police found the second-stolen vehicle a short time later and began the pursuit.

“I want to thank the public — the information they provided was invaluable,” Andreassi said.

Crissman allegedly killed Long after Slagle left for work that day at about 7:30 a.m. Slagle found her when he arrived home about 2:25 p.m.

Armstrong County Coroner Brian Myers said Long died of strangulation and head injuries. The death was ruled a homicide.

Andreassi said he does not know what prompted the alleged homicide, nor do authorities have any indication why Crissman ran away from the jail.

Officials said Crissman, who was in jail for violating probation on a drug charge, was trusted by staff. Crissman's criminal history includes multiple counts of theft, trespassing, drug possession and driving under the influence of alcohol.

There were no violent crimes on his record.

Crissman's arrest ended an extensive search after he had run from the county's jail about 6:30 a.m. Thursday. Authorities said he fled while delivering meals to other inmates as part of a work-release program. Crissman had just a few days left in jail and a couple months left on probation.

Armstrong County Sheriff William Rupert said Crissman walked outside of the jail to get the meals from a truck and took off.

Andreassi said the county will review Crissman's escape and how to prevent similar incidents in the future. “I can assure you those discussions will take place,” he said.

Crissman arrived at Butler County Prison around 5 p.m. Friday.

An official there said he will be handcuffed and restrained when taken out of his cell, but otherwise has normal prisoner status and will not require extra security.