Escaped inmate captured at MARTA station

A Fulton County inmate escaped from a jail transport bus Tuesday afternoon, the county’s sheriff’s office said. But he was caught less than two hours later at a MARTA station.

Ulysesse Cleckley, 21, was wearing a blue jail jumpsuit when he escaped from the bus around 5:30 in the area of English Avenue in northwest Atlanta, according to Tracy Flanagan, spokeswoman for the Fulton County Sheriff’s Office. Around 7:30 p.m., Cleckley was headed back to the jail after being taken into custody at the North Avenue train station, Flanagan said.

A manhunt was under way Tuesday evening after Cleckley escaped.

Cleckley is a convicted felon who was released from Johnson State Prison in December after serving nearly a year on a burglary conviction, according to the state Department of Corrections. But he was re-arrested on additional charges of burglary, criminal damage to property and obstruction, according to jail records.

Cleckley also faces an arson charge for allegedly starting a fire inside the jail, Flanagan said.

He is expected to face additional charges related to his escape. Cleckley has a court appearance at 11 a.m. Wednesday.

About the Author

Alexis Stevens

Alexis Stevens is a member of the Crime and Public Safety team.

Georgia veterans decry Trump administration’s plans to shrink VA workforce

Georgia military veterans are worried about Trump administration plans to cut the Veterans Affairs Department workforce by 15%. Georgia is home to more than 600,000 veterans.

Savannah’s growth is on ballot with school, infrastructure tax levies

Savannah's explosive growth has stretched public schools to the breaking point, particularly in the once rural western part of the county. A penny sales tax vote is looming.