UPDATE 11:38 a.m.: Police have confirmed that they captured Jay Scott McEvers, 47, after he escaped from Van Zandt County Detention Center Thursday evening. No details about the arrest have been released.
Texas authorities are on the hunt for a felon who escaped from the Van Zandt County jail Wednesday evening with the help of his mother and girlfriend, the sheriff's office announced.
The felon, 47-year-old Jay Scott McEvers, escaped from the jail - located in Canton, about 60 miles east of Dallas - where he was being held on drug and firearms charges after being booked there on April 14.
McEvers was last seen wearing orange jail pants and a white tank top in the 500 block of Van Zandt County Road 2105, a sherrif's spokesperson said in a statement. He is described as being 5-foot-10 and weighing 195 pounds, with blue eyes and blonde hair.
This is the second notable jailbreak that has occurred in Texas this April. Earlier this month, 20-year-old Wesley Evans, who was serving time for aggravated robbery, auto theft and arson in the Jasper County Jail, escaped custody at the Jasper Memorial Hospital. It's unclear how he managed to escape, but police eventually used search dogs to track him to an apartment complex where his girlfriend lived. They were unable to locate him after a preliminary search, but acting on a tip, they returned some time later to find him hiding in the dishwasher with his handcuffs still on.
As far as that case is concerned, it's unclear if the girlfriend will be charged. However, the girlfriend - and mother - in the new case, won't be so lucky, as police are confident that the pair are involved and charged them as a result.
Though they didn't release any specific details, authories say the manhunt led them to detain McEver's mother, Carolyn McEvers, "for facilitating escape" and girlfriend, Cynthia Heese, who was questioned overnight. Both women have since been arrested and face felony charges for their involvement in McEvers' escape.
In the meantime, authorities consider McEvers "armed and dangerous." His criminal history includes charges for armed bank robbery and other drug convictions. It is believed that he could be driving a red Chevrolet Cobalt.
If you see McEvers or know of his location, you are encouraged to call Van Zandt County Sherriff's officials at 903-567-4133.
