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Staff Report
GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Earlier today, deputies from the Alachua County Sheriff’s Office swiftly responded to an escape incident at Meridian Behavioral Healthcare, located at 1541 SW Williston Road. The situation unfolded when an inmate from the Alachua County Jail managed to flee during a session of in-patient mental health treatment.
The escape triggered a notable law enforcement mobilization along SW Williston Road, extending into the adjacent neighborhoods west of Meridian.
A coordinated search effort was launched by deputies and officers from the Gainesville Police Department. Utilizing the resources of an ASO K-9 unit and the GPD’s Drone Team, authorities successfully located and apprehended the escaped inmate within roughly 30 to 40 minutes of receiving the initial report.
The Alachua County Sheriff’s Office expressed gratitude for the support received from community members who reached out to the Combined Communications Center, providing valuable assistance during the operation.