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Georgia Escapees Who Killed Two Guards Are Caught in Tennessee, Officials Say Georgia Escapees Who Killed Two Guards Are Caught in Tennessee, Officials Say
(about 1 hour later)
Two Georgia inmates who the authorities said killed a pair of guards in a brazen escape from a prison bus on Tuesday were captured on Thursday after a high-speed police chase in Tennessee, officials said. Two Georgia inmates who the authorities said had killed a pair of guards in a brazen escape from a prison bus on Tuesday were captured on Thursday after a high-speed police chase in Tennessee, officials said.
The two convicted armed robbers, Donnie R. Rowe and Ricky Dubose, had been on the run since about 6:45 a.m. Tuesday, when their escape prompted a nationwide manhunt that drew a reward of $130,000. The men stole four vehicles during the three days they were on the run, the authorities said. The two convicted armed robbers, Donnie R. Rowe and Ricky Dubose, had been on the run since about 6:45 a.m. Tuesday, when their escape prompted a nationwide manhunt with a reward of $130,000. They stole at least four vehicles during the three days they were on the run, and they also broke into a home in Tennessee, where they tied up an elderly couple and held them at gunpoint for about three hours, the authorities said.
The pair were being moved early Tuesday morning as part of a routine transfer when they escaped the caged back area of the prison bus, overpowered and disarmed the two corrections officers responsible for driving, and then fatally shot them, the authorities said. After their escape, the men immediately carjacked a 2004 Honda Civic, then burglarized a home and eventually stole a white Ford truck. The pair were being moved early Tuesday morning in a routine transfer when they escaped from the caged back area of the prison bus, overpowered and disarmed the two corrections officers responsible for driving, and fatally shot them, the authorities said. After escaping, the men immediately carjacked a 2004 Honda Civic, burglarized a home and later stole a white Ford truck.
Gov. Nathan Deal and the Georgia Bureau of Investigation announced in separate messages around 8 p.m. Thursday that the men were in custody.Gov. Nathan Deal and the Georgia Bureau of Investigation announced in separate messages around 8 p.m. Thursday that the men were in custody.
“Rest assured, justice will be served,” Governor Deal said in a statement. “My sincere thanks to our local, state and federal law enforcement officers who assisted in the manhunt. Because of their tireless efforts, the public is safe.” Sheriff Howard R. Sills of Putnam County said the truck stolen in Georgia was abandoned in Moore County, Tenn., about 75 miles southeast of Nashville. Somewhere near there, the escapees stole another car, which they abandoned about 15 miles north in Bedford County, he said.
Sheriff Howard R. Sills of Putnam County said the truck that was stolen in Georgia was abandoned in Moore County, Tenn., about 75 miles southeast of Nashville. Somewhere near there, the inmates stole another car, which they abandoned about 15 miles farther north in Bedford County near Shelbyville, the sheriff said. About 2:30 p.m. Thursday, Mr. Rowe and Mr. Dubose then invaded the home of an elderly coupler, Sheriff Austin Swing of Bedford County, Tenn., said.
Mr. Rowe and Mr. Dubose then invaded the home of an elderly couple there and stole their car, Sheriff Sills said. They held the couple at gunpoint, tied them up and remained in the home from about 2:30 p.m. to about 5:30 p.m., Sheriff Swing said.
“Shortly afterward, a chase ensued with that car that they had stolen in Bedford County,” he said. “They wrecked the car somewhere on the interstate and got out and fled into the woods. I’d say 15 or 20 minutes later they came out with their hands up, is what we were told, and surrendered.” “They wrestled with the man and got control of him, and threatened both of them’s lives,” he said. “They put the guns to both of them’s heads and threatened to kill them if they resisted.”
Shots were fired during the exchange, but no one, including the inmates, was harmed, Sheriff Sills said. The escapees were en route to jail in Rutherford County, Tenn., late Thursday, he added. The escapees tied the man up with a belt and put socks on his hands so that he could not use his fingers, the sheriff said. They then ate beef stew the woman had made and stole the man’s boots, watches and other valuables, before leaving the home in a Jeep, the sheriff said. The couple were eventually able to report the crime, he added.
Word of the arrests came as the families of the corrections officers, Christopher Monica, 42, and Curtis Billue, 58, were planning their funerals. Each had served the department for several years. “Shortly afterward, a chase ensued,” Sheriff Sills said. “They wrecked the car somewhere on the interstate and got out and fled into the woods. I’d say 15 or 20 minutes later, they came out with their hands up, is what we were told, and surrendered.”
Earlier Thursday, law enforcement officials said bluntly that they had no idea where the fugitives had gone. They were preparing to start a nationwide billboard campaign to help elicit tips. Shots were fired during the exchange, but no one was harmed, Sheriff Sills said.
“We are looking for them anywhere they might be on the planet Earth,” Sheriff Sills said at an afternoon news conference.