An inmate who escaped from the Sumter County Detention Center on Sunday evening was captured and returned to custody, concluding a multi-agency search that utilized helicopters and drones.
Joseph Brown, 39, who walked away from the facility off East Anderson Ave in Bushnell at approximately 5:00 PM on Sunday, was apprehended near CR 675 after an intensive effort by Sumter County deputies and their partners.
According to the Sumter County Sheriff’s Office, Brown was located and taken into custody after being found in a pond.
Details of the Escape and Search
The manhunt was initiated immediately after Brown’s escape. While authorities noted he was not incarcerated on violent charges, they urged the public to not approach the individual and to contact 9-1-1 immediately if spotted.
The search gained a crucial update at approximately 6:30 PM on Sunday when Brown was spotted on a Ring camera in the N Jasper St. area of Bushnell. At that time, Brown, described as a 6’2”, 200-pound bald white male with brown eyes, was seen stealing a white e-bike. He had reportedly cut his jail-issued green and white pants into shorts and was not wearing a shirt.
A massive law enforcement presence, including the use of drones and a helicopter, saturated the area overnight to track the escapee.
The Sheriff’s Office issued a final update confirming the successful capture, thanking their deputies and partners for their “hard work and diligence” in locating Brown. He is now back in custody.
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