Prison Escapee Captured at Sanford Hotel

An inmate who escaped from a Lee County prison Thursday is back in custody.

Clarence Evans Jr., 26, was captured by state Department of Correction officials at 12:55 a.m. Friday at a hotel on Highway 421 in Sanford.

Authorities said another inmate saw Evans scale the fence of the Sanford Correctional Center on Thursday evening. He is serving a sentence of approximately 1 year and 4 months for a firearms charge and speeding to elude arrest.

After he escape attempt, Evans will also face a felony escape charge. He has been placed in segregation at Harnett Correctional Institution.