Staff report

LISBON — The Columbiana County Sheriff’s Office is urging anyone with information regarding escaped inmate Ashley Croley’s whereabouts to come forward immediately.

Authorities reported that Croley, 37, of Youngstown, “hopped a fence” to escape from confinement at Eastern Ohio Correction Center in Lisbon on Saturday.

The sheriff’s office said she may be heading to Salem or Youngstown.

According to reports, Croley then walked from Eastern Ohio Correction Center to the East of Chicago Pizza location on North Market Street where an employee at another business reported she changed into an orange tank top and shorts.

Next, Croley allegedly fled the area by stealing a blue Chevrolet Cobalt, (license plate JLU4699), running over the car owner’s foot in the process.

Authorities were notified of the stolen vehicle at 5 p.m. The Eastern Ohio Correction Center later reported that Croley had escaped.

Croley is described as 5-foot-5, weighing approximately 130 pounds with blonde hair and blue eyes.

She was reported to be wearing a gray shirt with black trim, black leggings with pink stripes, and black sneakers when she escaped from the correctional center.

Croley was ordered to serve up to six months at the EOCC on July 20, after violating her probation for aggravated possession of drugs, a fifth-degree felony. Her probation was continued to Aug. 9, 2024. Croley possessed methamphetamine on Aug. 5, 2021 and was indicted on a secret indictment on June 8.

Previously, Croley was ordered to serve 90 days in jail, with credit for 45 days served, after violating her probation for illegal use or possession of drug paraphernalia and two counts of theft. She had a glass pipe with a crystal-like substance inside, took candy from a gas station without paying for it from Smith Oil in Lisbon, and pretended to scan items cheaper than she bought, resulting in a theft of $123.13 in merchandise from Salem Walmart. Those charges all stemmed from 2021.

Law enforcement do not believe Croley is armed but advise citizens to not approach or engage with her and to contact local authorities immediately.

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