'Dangerous' Alabama fugitive captured in DeKalb County

DECATUR, Ga. - A massive multi-state search for an Alabama inmate came to an end Tuesday night in metro Atlanta. 

DeKalb County Police arrested Shane Anthony Vernon just after 10 p.m. Vernon was taken into custody without incident and is now being held at the DeKalb County Jail, awaiting extradition back to Alabama.

Vernon, 27, escaped Sunday around 2:30 p.m. from the Coosa County, Alabama jail. It was the second time he had escaped in less than a month.

Coosa County Sheriff Terry Wilson said Vernon was allowed out of his cell to use a phone and was able to escape after he realized a door in that area wasn't properly secured. He said Vernon was able to get into the maintenance area of the ceiling and got around security doors and then fled on foot.

He then allegedly broke into two homes, tying up the residents, and stealing a gun, a van, and other items. He then drove that vehicle to another man's home, stole his car and kidnapped him.

Vernon crossed the state line into Georgia, dumping the kidnapping victim and his car in metro Atlanta. That man sought help at the Douglasville Police Department.

Vernon was originally arrested on theft and burglary charges. Authorities have obtained felony warrants for first-degree unlawful imprisonment, robbery, motor vehicle theft and second-degree escape, which will be added to the earlier counts.

The U.S. Marshals Service led the search effort with the aid of state and local law enforcement agencies.

Vernon had escaped October 29 from the Coosa County Jail by forcibly removing his restraints and running while being booked into the county jail. He was recaptured the next day.  The Coosa County Sheriff is investigating the actions of a jail officer that might've made it easy for Vernon to pull off his most recent escape.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.