A manhunt has ended for two inmates who overpowered a guard and escaped from the Rutherford County Jail.
On Thursday, officials said 43-year-old Dewayne Halfacre and 28-year-old Jonathan Baxter were taken into custody around 11:20 a.m. near U.S. Highway 41/70.
The two reportedly assaulted a detention officer and then escaped early Wednesday morning.
We are grateful for the law enforcement partners who joined us in searching tirelessly for the fugitives,” Sheriff Mike Fitzhugh said. “We sincerely thank our citizens who called with information. Our citizens and their tips made our job easier. We appreciate the cooperation with the Rutherford County Schools in keeping the students safe with the code yellow.”
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The search extended from Murfreesboro to Smyrna, where police think the escapees possibly abandoned a stolen car.
Both were being considered dangerous and may have been armed with a homemade weapon.
They were placed on the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation’s Top 10 Most Wanted list. The reward for information leading to their capture was increased to $5,000 each.
Sheriff's deputies, Murfreesboro police and U.S. Marshals were all involved in the manhunt.
Schools in Rutherford County were on a "Code Yellow" lockdown as a precaution. Visitors were restricted from entering school buildings Thursday. Just before noon, following the inmates' capture, schools reported they were returning to normal operations.
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Both Halfacre and Baxter will be charged with aggravated assault of a first responder and felony escape.
Halfacre was being held on charges of aggravated robbery, two counts of aggravated assault, unlawful possession of a weapon in a commission of a felony, possession of a prohibited weapon and vandalism.
Baxter was held for failing to appear in court on felony burglary and theft charges.
