The Washington Examiner reported that a manhunt came to an end this week after an escaped Maryland convict was taken into custody.
The drama began at around 8:00 a.m. on Wednesday morning after 38-year-old inmate Randy Morris broke free custody.
Updated photo of escaped inmate Randy Morris from @MDSP: pic.twitter.com/0SKYIjWroa
— Howard County Police Department (@HCPDNews) August 16, 2023
Morris, who had been serving time behind bars for burglary, made his escape near Jessup, Maryland, which is located approximately 5 miles southwest of Baltimore.
Around 8:30am police were notified that a Dept of Corrections inmate, incarcerated for burglary, escaped a transport van in the area of Dorsey Run Rd/32. Police are searching on foot and with drones, with the help of neighboring jurisdictions, including Anne @AACOPD & @MDSP. 1/2 pic.twitter.com/cxCl3sIxU1
— Howard County Police Department (@HCPDNews) August 16, 2023
That led the Howard County Police Department to put out a series of tweets describing Morris and advising anyone who spotted him to call 911.
Randy Morris, 38, is described as a white male, five feet nine inches tall, 130-140 pounds, bald, with a beard. He was last seen wearing a white shirt and blue shorts and is no longer wearing handcuffs or shackles.
Anyone who sees Morris should call 911. 2/2
— Howard County Police Department (@HCPDNews) August 16, 2023
However, Morris' time on the run did not last long, as the Maryland State Police tweeted shortly after 6:00 p.m. that the inmate had been recaptured.
#UPDATE The escaped inmate has been taken into custody. Thank you to the public for your assistance. https://t.co/ThgFZY0ZfO
— MD State Police (@MDSP) August 16, 2023
Morris previously lived in Halethorpe, Maryland, and WBALTV 11 interviewed local residents who said he had long been a problem in the community.
One former neighbor who was identified only as "Brandy" recalled how Morris "actually lived a couple doors down from where we are."
"He just didn't care. He thought he was above the law all the time. He was a very big drug addict (and) troublemaker, constantly breaking into people's houses, robbing people," Brandy went on to explain.
The news station noted that a search of online court records revealed how Morris has "an extensive criminal history" which includes domestic violence, resisting arrest, illegal drugs and parole violations.
WBALTV cited a hand-written letter Morris sent to court personnel which read, "Can I get drug treatment? The judge gave me 10 years, I got five years in... I've been needing treatment for years now."
