Howard County fugitive apprehended in Columbia

COLUMBIA — After escaping from the Howard County jail in Fayette this week, Curtis Jones was apprehended in northeastern Columbia by Columbia Police Department officers Wednesday afternoon, according to a department release.

Detectives received a tip from the Howard County Sheriff's Department that Jones might be in the area of Perkins Drive and Alan Lane today and moved to the area at 3:30 p.m.

In response to reports from local residents that Jones had fled northeast into a wooded area on foot, officers set up a perimeter around the area, Sgt. Don Hawkins said.

Jones was apprehended after a short foot chase near Melissa Drive and Osage Drive without further incident and transported back to the Howard County Jail, according to the release.

Jones had escaped Monday morning after jamming his cell lock with a cardboard toilet paper holder and walking out during a shift change, the Associated Press reported.