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RICHMOND COUNTY, Ga. – The Richmond County Sheriff’s Office has successfully apprehended an escaped inmate.
Authorities have detained 33-year-old Justin Craft, Jr., bringing an end to his brief stint at large.
Craft was apprehended at approximately 2:38 p.m. on Wednesday on Drayton Drive. The operation was a collaborative effort between the Richmond County Sheriff’s Office Gang Task Force and the United States Marshals Service.
Craft managed to escape from Piedmont Hospital on Tuesday evening around 8 p.m. while being held on charges pending in Richmond County.
The charges against him include:
• Robbery (Purse Snatching – Forcible)
• Battery
• Obstruction of a Law Enforcement Officer
• Giving False Name
• Escape (Persons Not Convicted)
This all stems from an incident earlier in the day.
RCSO Deputies responded to a home on the 3000 block of Mercedes Drive about a previous reported theft and property damage complaint. Up arrival, authorities spoke with a representative from the electric company who reportedly told them that extension cords were being run from the Mercedes Drive home to a home on Algernon Circle.
Deputies located Craft and several others in a shed on the property, including a woman who was bleeding from her hand. As authorities approached the group, Craft went into the home, as the others dispersed. The injured woman, identified as Craft’s ex-girlfriend, wanted to press charges.
Craft reportedly began running away from the other side of the house as deputies called for back up; a chase ensued. After law enforcement instructed the suspect to stop and he didn’t, he was tased and arrested.
Reports say Craft gave false information to deputies including name and date of birth. He also reported told deputies that he ingested an unknown quantity and type of narcotics. He was transported to Piedmont Hospital for a medical clearance. Upon clearance, he was to be transported to the Charles B. Webster Detention Center for charges listed above.
Authorities say Craft was last seen running shirtless with blue jean pants in the area of Tenth Street after 8:30 Tuesday evening.
The Sheriff’s Office goes on to thank the Marshals Service for their assistance in capturing Craft.
A second arrest was made on Wednesday in connection with the apprehension of escape suspect Craft.
According to authorities, at the time of his arrest, Craft was located inside a vehicle driven by Latoya Vonishay Lovett, a 34-year-old Augusta resident.
Authorities say following the investigation, Lovett was charged with Harboring or Concealing a Fugitive and was taken into custody and transported to the Charles B. Webster Detention Center.