For the second time in as many days, authorities armed with long guns and tactical gear descended on College Park to search for an inmate who escaped custody near Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport.
Friday’s search began just hours after police captured an Arizona murder suspect who got away from two Maricopa County deputies tasked with flying him back to Phoenix, officials said.
J’Saan Carlos Strover was taken into custody about 11:30 p.m. Thursday after being spotted by a television news reporter who was covering his escape. Police found the barefoot fugitive in the woods and used night vision technology to capture the 20-year-old.
Strover was charged with murder and aggravated assault stemming from a February double shooting that left one man dead and another injured at a Phoenix bar.
Less than eight hours later, authorities returned to the area to search for a second inmate who managed to break free on his way to prison.
According to the Clayton County Sheriff’s Office, Georgia inmate Devonte Detaun Ross was last seen Friday morning near North Clayton High School. Authorities said Ross managed to escape when his transport officers stopped to get him something to eat at a QuikTrip on Riverdale Road.
He remained at large Friday evening.
Ross was most recently housed at the Atlanta Transitional Center following stints in prison on burglary and narcotics trafficking convictions out of Douglas and Cobb counties, state records show. He was being transferred back to prison after violating requirements of his sentence, the Clayton sheriff’s office said in a public advisory.
Credit: Clayton County Sheriff's Office
Credit: Clayton County Sheriff's Office
Ross, described as 5 feet tall and about 135 pounds, was handcuffed in front of his body and wearing chains around his waist when he ran from the gas station. At the time of his escape, he was also wearing a black hoodie, black pants and black shoes with orange stripes, the sheriff’s office said.
Five nearby schools were placed on “soft lockdown” Friday as the sheriff’s office searched for the man, according to Clayton school officials. North Clayton High, Clayton Middle, Northcutt Elementary, Oliver Elementary and West Clayton Elementary locked their exterior doors as school operations continued inside.
Credit: JOHN SPINK / JSPINK@AJC.COM
Credit: JOHN SPINK / JSPINK@AJC.COM
“Any escapee regardless of charges should be considered potentially dangerous,” the sheriff’s office said. “If spotted, do not approach and dial 911 immediately. Everyone who lives and work(s) in this area should keep their doors locked and stay vigilant.”
Police dogs searched the high school Friday morning. Their search led them to the Park at Leeds apartments on Riverdale Road and to the River Station shopping center on West Fayetteville Road, where there was a heavy police presence by midmorning.
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