Wood Co., TX - Hopkins Co. Inmate Steals Patrol Truck - Jailer's Firearm - Patrol Vehicle Wrecked

Escaped Hopkins Co. Inmate Now in Custody

Authorities in Northeast Texas have now taken into custody a man who allegedly kidnapped a jailer and stole a patrol truck in Hopkins County.

A Hopkins County investigator said the man escaped late Thursday night. Joseph Leslie Meadows was being driven by a jailer to a hospital. Reports say Meadows fought the jailer, taking his gun and allegedly kidnapping him.

The jailer was able to get away. Meadows was able to get away in the jailer's patrol truck.

Wood County Sheriff Dwaine Daugherty said the suspect wrecked the car in the woods in Southern Wood County, near the intersection of FM 778 & County Road 3056.

Daughterty said hounds from the Texas Department of Criminal Justice and a Department of Public Safety helicopter from Waco were used to search for the suspect.

Officials say Meadows has been found, taken into custody, and sent to a Wood County court to be arraigned
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