Georgia

All 5 escaped south Georgia inmates have been captured

PULASKI COUNTY, Ga. — All five “violent” inmates who escaped from a south Georgia jail last week have been taken back into custody.

The Warner Robins Police Department says the fifth and final inmate, 33-year-old Tyree Williams Jr., was found and arrested around midnight Wednesday morning.

[DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks]

Williams escaped from the Pulaski County Detention Center on Friday alongside Dennis Penix, Brandon Pooler, Tyree Jackson and Lewis Wendell Evans III. The group of men stole a van from the jail parking lot.

Pulaski County Sheriff Danny Brannen blamed the escape on short staffing at the jail.

“We are so short at the jail. We are about 12 jailers short,” Brannen said. “They attacked the jailer and took her keys, locked both of the jailers in a cell, and then they left.”

Evans was the first inmate to be captured on Sunday, and Jackson’s arrest followed shortly behind.

Williams was found hiding behind a building on North Davis Drive in Warner Robins Tuesday morning and was arrested.

Officials say Williams was in jail facing charges of felony murder and home invasion after a shooting incident in July 2020. Penix is accused of killing two men in what was called a “drug deal gone bad”. Investigators said Pooler is facing charges of child cruelty, Jackson is charged with a series of car-break-ins and Evans is accused of obstructing an officer.

[SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter]

Warner Robins police say this search was a joint effort between US Marshals, Georgia State Patrol, GSP Aviation, GBI, Department of Corrections, Warner Robins Police Department, and Houston County Sheriff’s Office.

There is no word at this time on the new charges each man will face.

0