One of two inmates who escaped from the West Central Correctional Facility has been caught in Hamilton County.
According to Union County Sheriff Jamie Patton, local authorities were notified by the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office early this morning that they had captured Cody A. Ray, 27, of West Mansfield.
The capture came after a short pursuit in a 2009 GMC Sierra stolen from a farm on Leeper Perkins Road.
“That’s really everything we know at this point,” Patton said.
Ray escaped West Central Saturday with fellow inmate Joshua K. Hammond, 28, of Columbus.
According to officials, the pair escaped out of a door left open when staff member let another inmate in from outside. They reportedly scaled a 12-foot chain link fence and disappeared into a corn field to the north of the facility.
Patton said once Hamilton County gives the go-ahead for pickup, Union County deputies will bring Ray back.
According to the Sheriff’s report, Ray now faces felony charges in Hamilton County for receiving stolen property plus fleeing and eluding.
The report states that authorities are still searching for Hammond.
“He was not in the vehicle with Mr. Ray,” Patton said.
At the time of his escape, authorities described Hammond as a 140-pound Hispanic man with brown hair and brown eyes.
Patton reminded residents that Hammond’s photo is still available to the public, and is asking help finding him.
Earlier this week, West Central Executive Director David Erwin was the pair had not caused much trouble during their short time at the facility.
“You scratch your head and say, ‘why?’” he said.