Authorities: Stolen car tip led to escaped inmate

Authorities said Sunday that a stolen car lead them to an inmate who escaped more than a week ago.

Xavier Hosea Shaw, 45, who was serving time for kidnapping and robbery convictions, escaped June 30 from an inmate crew building an addition to Alexander Correctional Institution in western North Carolina. He hid inside a truck at the work site, authorities said.

His six-year sentence would have ended Aug. 30, but he faces pending charges in connection with a January bank robbery in Wake County.

Department of Correction staff in Alexander County following up on a tip about a stolen car Saturday developed information that indicated Xavier Shaw was in Raleigh, said Jennie Lancaster, the agency's chief operating officer.

The 30-member Prison Emergency Response Team and five K-9 squads started searching in Raleigh Saturday afternoon after the car, which was stolen about 10 miles from the prison, was spotted near Pleasant Union Church Road in Raleigh.

Xavier Shaw's mother and sister live in the area. His sister, Altonia, said Saturday that she allowed authorities to search their home.

“It's very hard for our family. It's very stressful. Not just for us, but our community,” Altonia Shaw said. "To everyone else, he's a lot of things. But to us, he's just our brother."

DOC spokeswoman Pamela Walker said that Raleigh police officers spotted Xavier Shaw shortly after 8 p.m. near New Bern Avenue and New Hope Church Road, nearly 20 miles away from his family's home. He ran but was quickly captured, without serious incident.

The Wake and Alexander county sheriffs' offices, state Highway Patrol and U.S. Marshall Service also helped in the search.

"Diligence and cooperation from all involved in the search lead to Shaw's capture," Lancaster said.

Walker said that Xavier Shaw was placed at Central Prison in Raleigh and will face additional charges related to his escape. He will likely make his first court appearance this week, she said.