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Inmate Recaptured After Overnight Chase

An inmate being transferred to the Toombs County jail for a court appearance managed to make a break, but his bid for freedom didn’t last long.

Jaquaz Travon Burke, who has a Dublin address, was apprehended by officers early Wednesday after being on the run in Toombs County overnight. Captain Jordan Kight with the Toombs County Sheriff’s Office explained that on Tuesday, January 25, at approximately 7:33 p.m., a Laurens County Sheriff’s Office deputy arrived at the Toombs County Detention Center to turn Burke over to Toombs authorities.

Burke had had a court appearance earlier that day in Laurens County and was being returned to the Detention Center. The deputy pulled into an area where inmates are loaded for transportation and opened the door of the patrol vehicle before allowing the jail intake gate to close completely, Kight said. Burke, who was wearing an orange jump suit with his hands cuffed in front, fled on foot north of the Detention Center. The deputy was unable to apprehend Burke and immediately notified Toombs 911 Dispatch, Kight said.

At that time the To o m b s Co u n t y Sher if f ’s Office req uested assistance from To o m b s Co u n t y Volunteer Fire Department, Laurens County Sheriff's Office, Treutlen County Sheriff's Office K-9 Unit, Lyons Police Department, Georgia State Patrol Post 19, Georgia State Patrol Aviation Unit and Georgia Department of Corrections K-9 Unit. Soon after, law enforcement officers began to arrive and assist in looking for Burke.

This search continued into the morning hours of January 26, and at approximately 6:48 a.m., Toombs 911 Dispatch received a call from a citizen stating they observed Burke walking near a wooded area of North Street and McSwain Drive in Vidalia.

Kight said that Toombs County deputies responded immediately and observed Burke walking westbound along the wood line of North Street. Deputies attempted to apprehend Burke and a brief foot pursuit ensued. The suspect was soon apprehended without incident and transported to the Toombs County Detention Center.

Prior to this, Burke was being held without bond at the Toombs County Detention Center on a Terroristic Acts and Threat warrant that was issued by the Vidalia Police Department. Burke has pending charges from Wheeler County, Spaulding County and Montgomery County. Since his incarceration at the Toombs County Detention Center, Burke has received additional warrants for Riot in a Penal Institute (2 Counts) and Aggravated Battery (2 Counts) for two separate incidents in the jail. The inmate will now face a new charge of escape from the Toombs County Detention Center.

“The Toombs County Sheriff’s Office would like to thank all the agencies that assisted with this incident,” Kight said.

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