Stephens County Jail escapee Calvin McCoy is back in custody, but not before a brief struggle with deputies.
McCoy, who escaped early Wednesday, now is charged with felony escape and felony obstruction of a deputy sheriff, said Stephens County Sheriff Randy Shirley. The new charges are in addition to his initial charge of burglary.
Just after daylight Friday, deputies returned to McCoy’s last known address on Memorial Drive and determined he was in the home, Shirley said.
“After the residence was searched, deputies check the attic and found McCoy hiding under boxes, where he was arrested after a brief struggle,” Shirley said.
The arrest followed ongoing surveillance by Stephens County deputies and investigators.
Just before midnight Thursday, deputies found a backpack possibly belonging to McCoy in an outlying shed on the property, Shirley said.
“Deputy Eric McKinney and his K9, along with the tracking K9 from Lee Arrendale State Prison, were called and began a track of the suspect,” Shirley said. “Georgia State Patrol Aviation was contacted and responded to assist in the track of McCoy.”
Officers lost the track on McCoy in the area of Ga. 17 Bypass. Residents of the home were interviewed, and surveillance was maintained on the house by Stephens County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigations Division personnel, Shirley said.
Shirley acknowledged the help from Georgia State Patrol Post 7, GSP Aviation, Toccoa Police Department and Lee Arrendale State Prison Canine Apprehension Team in searching for and capturing McCoy.
“We would also like to thank the community for their patience and support during our tireless search for McCoy, as well as McDonald’s and Camp Mikell for their generosity in providing food and water during the past couple of days and nights,” Shirley said.
