Manhunt extends to Pike County
Published 12:00 am Friday, September 11, 2009
The manhunt for an escaped convict from Crenshaw County continued in Goshen late Thursday but was suspended due to weather.
Jeremy Baggett, 28, escaped from the Crenshaw County Jail for the second time early Wednesday morning, and he was last seen running toward Goshen Thursday evening, said Pike County Sheriff Russell Thomas.
“The dogs tracked him hot and heavy for about a mile,” Thomas said.
Thomas said Baggett was spotted in the yard of a Crenshaw County resident. Law enforcement chased him from North Goshen Road in Crenshaw County to McLeod Road, where dogs lost his scent.
Thomas said it is a possibility someone driving on the road picked the escapee up.
“It’s unusual (for the dogs not to catch him),” Thomas said. “Usually the dogs catch him after that long.”
Baggett is described as a white male, about six feet tall and 140 pounds with blonde hair and blue eyes. He was last seen wearing a white T-shirt and boxer shorts, said Crenshaw County Deputy Jeremy Walker.
Baggett was serving time for burglary, domestic violence and criminal mischief charges. In addition, he had an escape first-degree charge from his first attempt to leave jail on July 24.
He was arrested on these charges on June 15, reported the Greenville Advocate.
Crenshaw County Sheriff Charles West told the Advocate that the escape was the fault of one of the jailers.
In addition, Walker said a piece of cardboard paper was found in the latch of his cell. However, it is not confirmed that is how he escaped his cell.
It is not believed that Baggett is armed, but Thomas said it’s possible he could be dangerous.
“Anybody who escapes in custody is considered dangerous,” Thomas said said.
Thomas said Baggett has relatives in Goshen.
Residents are urged to contact a local law enforcement agency if they spot a man fitting Baggett’s description.
Pike and Crenshaw County Sheriff’s Departments were assisted by the Alabama Department of Public Safety’s troopers and helicopter team, the Department of Corrections tracking dogs, the Butler County Sheriff’s Department and the Luverne Police Department.