Authorities say they’ve captured a man after coordinating a large-scale search effort covering several Florida counties to locate an inmate who escaped from Okeechobee Correctional Institution Work Camp on Thursday.
The Florida Department of Corrections said Timothy Howton-McLaughlin, 28, escaped while doing yardwork. Additional law enforcement is expected in Okeechobee, Indian River, Saint Lucie, Highlands, Polk, Osceola and Brevard counties, according to the FDC.
Witnesses led officials to an area where Howton-McLaughlin was hiding Friday morning, according to the Indian River County Sheriff’s Office.
A K9 unit was ultimately responsible for his capture.
Escaped Prisoner in custody! Witnesses led us to an area where a @IRCSheriff deputy spotted him and gave chase. K-9 caught him. Glad to have him back in custody and off the streets. @TCPalm @Vero_News @sebastian_daily @CBS12 @WPBF25News @WPTV pic.twitter.com/iscSjpEvhc
— IRCSheriff (@IRCSheriff) January 24, 2020
Read: Department of Corrections under court order to improve health care for inmates
Howton-McLaughlin is serving an eight-year prison sentence for trafficking in stolen property and burglary.
The FDC contacted all state and local law enforcement agencies for the search, which focused on highways and roads.
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