The Associated Press
QUITMAN — A fugitive East Texas jail inmate was captured Friday, eight hours after authorities say he overpowered and disarmed a jailer who was taking him to a hospital.
“Wood County Sheriff Dwaine Daugherty said authorities captured Joseph Leslie Meadows in a wooded area near Quitman after a resident reported seeing someone matching Meadows’ description in her driveway.
Daugherty said Meadows surrendered after state prison system bloodhounds bayed after his scent.
The dogs and a Texas Department of Public Safety helicopter helped Wood County deputies with the all-night search that lasted well into day.
Daugherty said the 26-year-old inmate had been jailed as a burglary and forgery suspect in the Hopkins County Jail in Sulphur Springs.
Authorities said Meadows apparently faked an illness and was being taken to a hospital when he disarmed his escort, left him on the roadside and drove away. Meadows continued to flee in the sheriff’s vehicle, which has been recovered. Daugherty said no injuries were reported in the episode.