Harris County law enforcement is on the hunt for a suspect who managed to escape their custody on Thursday afternoon. The individual, identified as 22-year-old Daniel Eugene Douglas, gave officers the slip while being transferred from the Baytown Police Department to the Harris County Joint Processing Center, as per reports by KHOU. It seems that in the moment an officer opened the vehicle door, Douglas saw his chance and took off running successfully navigating through an open bay door.
At the time of escape, Douglas was in the process of being booked at the center. According to FOX 26 Houston, he previously had been in custody in connection with an assault charge. The search intensified as the Harris County Sheriff's Office joined forces with the Department of Public Safety and Baytown Police, while police boats were seen in the nearby bayou by Air 11, trying to locate the runaway in the surrounding waters, under the supervision of HCSO. The public has been warned not to approach the suspect but to call 911 immediately if sighted.
Authorities have been scouring the area since about 2:20 p.m., with the Harris County Sheriff's Office stressing the gravity of not attempting to engage with Douglas. The Joint Processing Center, situated at 700 North San Jacinto Street between Allen and Baker Streets, has been at the center of this commotion as officers are determined to recapture the escaped inmate.
As the situation is developing, more details are anticipated to surface. Houston residents in downtown and the immediate surroundings are keeping their eyes open for any sign of Douglas, who has become the subject of an unexpected breach of custody that poses questions about the security protocols in place.
