A police officer in Jefferson County encountered some unusual -- and unwanted -- excitement Wednesday when he suddenly found himself face-to-face with an armed escapee from the State Corretional Institution at Rockview.

A woman called Snyder Township police last Thursday morning to report a strange car parked in the driveway of her son's home. Officer Thomas Verne said when he arrived at the house, he noticed one of the windows had been forced and called for help. While he was waiting, a man emerged from the house carrying a gun, Verne said.

Verne then drew his gun and told the man to freeze and put down the items he was carrying. The man complied and Verne arrested him.

The man turned out to be Stacey Ray Johnson, 44, an inmate who was alleged to have escaped from Rockview earlier that morning.

Johnson was arraigned Wednesday before District Magistrate Berner E. Hetrick on charges of burglary, criminal mischief, criminal trespass and theft by unlawful taking or disposition. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for Nov. 12 at the Jefferson County Courthouse.

After the arraignment, correctional officers from Rockview returned Johnson to the prison.

Johnson was arraigned yesterday before District Magistrate Robert May on the charge of escape. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for Wednesday.