A county inmate who escaped from the Escambia County Detention Center in Brewton Saturday morning was back in custody Sunday afternoon, according to Chief Deputy Mike Lambert.
Cedric Floyd, who was awaiting trial for the murder of 43-year-old Roshell Jones in her home in Atmore in January of 2011, escaped from the jail Saturday at approximately 10:15 a.m. and was captured in Pensacola, Fla., Sunday at approximately 4:20 p.m. on Palafox Street.
Lambert said Floyd was located through the combined efforts of the Escambia County (Ala.) Sheriff’s Department, the Escambia County (Fla.) Sheriff’s Department the Brewton Police Department, the Fountain Correctional Facility dog team, the Century dog team, the Escambia County (Fla.) Road Prison dog team, the Santa Rosa prison dog team and officers with the game and fish department.
Escambia County (Ala.) Sheriff Grover Smith said exactly how Floyd, who is also a convicted sex offender, escaped from the jail is being investigated internally. Smith told a local TV station disciplinary action would be taken if the breakout was the result of employee negligence, adding criminal charges would be filed in the event that prison personnel aided in Floyd’s escape.
As for the fast capture, Smith said it was the result of “the art of policing.”
According to a release from the Sheriff’s Department, “two tracks were run by separate dog teams. This was due to multiple traffic in and around the streets at the detention center,” the release reads. “One track led down Burnt Corn Creek and the other led across by the post office, court house and crossed the railroad tracks near T.R. Miller Mill.”
The release also revealed deputies felt that Floyd was able to “catch a ride” to take him from the area. Deputies were able to develop leads as to Floyd’s whereabouts over the 24 hours following his escape, including several possible sightings, which led them to Escambia County, Fla.
Lambert said Sunday, at approximately 4:20 p.m., an Escambia County (Fla.) deputy spotted a man matching Floyd’s description walking down Palafox Street, south of the intersection of Pace and Palafox. Deputies approached the subject and were able to positively identify the man as Floyd. He was taken back into custody without incident.
In the release, Sheriff’s Department officials expressed their thanks to the other agencies involved in Floyd’s capture.
“Escambia County Florida Sheriff’s Office was instrumental in helping get Floyd into custody,” the release states. “The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office in Florida and Escambia County Sheriff’s Office in Alabama have always had a great working relation. We appreciate Sheriff David Morgan and his deputies for taking quick action and helping to get Floyd back into custody.”
Smith said the results of the internal investigation will be released following its conclusion.