Police Capture Texas Inmate 250 Miles Away After Escaping Prison

A 22-year-old Texas inmate managed to break free from his confinement in the West Texas prison system only to be captured hours later.

The 22-year-old Texas inmate Trent Thompson was captured Sunday about 250 miles (400 kilometers) from the West Texas prison he had escaped from hours earlier after climbing over a fence, officials said. (Photo: Texas Department of Criminal Justice)

Texas Inmate Escapes Prison

Trent Thompson, a Texas inmate who is a convicted criminal, successfully climbed over a fence at the Formby Unit in Plainview late on Saturday night, prompting an intense manhunt by local authorities.

The Texas Department of Criminal Justice reported that Thompson was last seen at approximately 11:14 p.m. on Saturday before disappearing into the darkness, the Associated Press reported.

According to Amanda Hernandez, a spokeswoman for the Department of Criminal Justice, Texas inmate Thompson stole a vehicle to aid in his flight from justice after evading the prison’s security measures.

The specifics of how he acquired the vehicle remain unclear, but law enforcement agencies are conducting an investigation into the matter.

Prior to his escape, Texas inmate Thompson had been serving time for multiple convictions, including three counts of aggravated robbery in Taylor County and Coleman County.

The Texas inmate was also found guilty of committing aggravated assault on a public servant in Coleman County. The Department of Criminal Justice disclosed that Thompson’s projected release date had been set for the year 2052, reflecting the severity of his crimes.

However, Texas inmate Thompson’s bid for freedom only compounded his legal troubles. Prison officials confirmed on Sunday that he would now face additional felony charges related to his escape, further prolonging his time behind bars.

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Texas Inmate Was Captured 250 Miles Away

However, the escape proved short-lived as the Texas inmate was captured on Sunday morning at around 11:15 a.m. in Coleman, a town located southeast of Plainview, nearly 250 miles (400 kilometers) away from the prison.

This incident brings to mind a tragic event that unfolded last year in Central Texas when a convicted murderer managed to escape from a prison transport bus.

The escapee, Gonzalo Lopez, went on to perpetrate a heinous act, claiming the lives of a grandfather and his four grandsons at their ranch.

The ages of the victims ranged from 11 to 18. Authorities apprehended Lopez three weeks later, but not before he had driven a stolen truck for over 200 miles (320 kilometers).

The confrontation with law enforcement ultimately resulted in his demise, as he was fatally shot by police.

As the investigation into Texas inmate Thompson’s escape unfolds, authorities will be focused on strengthening security measures to prevent similar incidents in the future.

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