A man is wanted by authorities in connection with a jail escape by two inmates in Troup County.
Eric Calvin Bell was arrested in LaGrange about 9:45 a.m. Friday, which was about 36 hours after he and Thomas Christopher Cuddington are accused of climbing down a drainpipe to escape the Troup County Jail, sheriff’s Sgt. Stewart Smith said.
Deputies caught up with Bell on Hamilton Road with the assistance of LaGrange police. Cuddington remains at large.
On Friday afternoon, the sheriff's office identified John "Cal" Stutts as someone wanted for questioning in the escape, according to a Facebook post. Stutts also has warrants for crossing a guard line with contraband, the post said.
Authorities had been searching for the inmates since they escaped just before 11 p.m. Wednesday and took off running from the sheriff’s office.
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Investigators worked leads all Thursday and continued their search through the night, the sheriff’s office said. They are offering a $1,000 reward for information leading to Cuddington’s arrest, Smith said Friday in a Facebook post.
Deputies first learned of the inmates’ disappearance about 8 a.m. Thursday. They were seen on surveillance footage “climbing down from a drainpipe on the front of the sheriff’s office,” and running on Sam Walker Drive toward Hamilton Road, Smith said.
They were in jail on drug charges and other minor offenses, Channel 2 Action News reported.
Cuddington is described as 5-foot-8 and 150 pounds. His last known address was 1506 Phillips Road in Warm Springs.
Anyone who sees Cuddington or knows his whereabouts is asked to call the sheriff’s office at 706-883-1616 or Troup County 911. Tipsters can remain anonymous, and be eligible for rewards of up to $2,000, by contacting Crime Stoppers at 706-812-1000.
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