On Monday afternoon, June 22, Robert Eugene Smith, 40 years old, escaped from Emanuel Probation Detention Center. Smith was captured less than two hours after the escape.
“I credit the quick capture to Superintendent Wells with the Probation Detention Center. She called immediately when she discovered Smith had escaped. We were on scene within minutes,” said Sheriff Jeffrey Brewer.
Tyler Beasley, with the ECSO, was parked at the intersection of King and Queen Streets in Twin City, with his truck backed toward a wooded area. He glanced into his rear-view mirror and saw Smith coming around his truck. He waited until Smith was close enough to be apprehended and jumped out and grabbed him. Smith was arrested without incident.
Responding personnel in the manhunt included Emanuel County Sheriff’s Office, Swainsboro Police Department, Twin City Police Department, Stillmore Police Department, Oak Park Police Department, Candler County Sheriff’s Office and Department of Corrections. ECSO/SPD tracking dogs were also used in the search.
Smith was transferred to the Emanuel County Jail.
Anyone with any additional information can call the Emanuel County Sheriff’s Office at 478-237-7526.
