Escaped inmate captured in east Harris County after manhunt

HOUSTON – An inmate who escaped custody in Houston on Thursday has been captured, officials say.

Sheriff Ed Gonzalez says Joshua Nigel Thomas Sanders was apprehended by the Violent Offenders Fugitive Task Force in east Harris County early Friday morning.

Authorities say Sanders was able to facilitate an escape while he was being transported back to the Harris County Jail following a court appearance.

He was in custody for three burglaries and the unlawful possession of a weapon by a felon. He was able to escape from custody while leaving court today. During his escape, he accosted an employee with the Harris County District Attorney’s Office and jumped into her car, but she wrecked it just a few feet away, officials reported.

CRIME: Houston freeway shooting: Road rage suspected as gunfire hits two vehicles on SH 288

According to authorities, the staffer was temporarily held hostage with a knife before Sanders got out of the car and ran in the direction of the bayou. It’s the last place he was seen via surveillance footage by the authorities.

The University of Houston Downtown issued a lockdown due to the search but later gave the all-clear.

DOWNLOAD THE FOX 26 HOUSTON APP BY CLICKING HERE

Authorities said Sanders should be considered armed and dangerous. He was in Harris County Jail custody on burglary charges.

Harris County law enforcement and Houston police were working together in search of the fugitive near Commerce Street, according to preliminary information from officials.

District Attorney Kim Ogg gave the following statement:

“Earlier today, one of our employees was held against her will by a man with a knife who apparently escaped from official custody. We are thankful and grateful that she was not physically harmed during this incident. The general public should be on heightened alert that this man has yet to be apprehended, but we are confident that law enforcement will be able to find and apprehend the suspect. Once he is arrested, we expect to prosecute this defendant and seek justice in this case.”