INMATE LEADS Law ON CHASE Through Town

A Russell County man being transported to the Adair County Regional Jail escaped custody outside the jail Sunday afternoon and led officers on a brief chase before being recaptured.
According to a press release from the Columbia Police Department, the incident occurred at approximately 3:53 p.m. Sunday after deputy jailers from the Russell County Jail transported 19-year-old Tyler Baker from Jamestown to the Adair County Regional Jail, where he was to be lodged on a Contempt of Drug Court charge.
Before the deputies could get Baker inside the jail, he escaped their custody and fled on foot, with one of the deputy jailers in pursuit. Baker fled down Monroe Street to Merchant Street, then crossed Campbellsville Street and onto Lindsey Wilson Street. He then left the roadway and headed north along Town Branch, coming up behind Burton Ace Hardware.
Baker then made his way to IGA Express, where he received a ride from a motorist and was taken to McDonald's on Jamestown Street.
According to CPD Chief Mark Harris, another customer in IGA Express saw the escapee get into the vehicle, and knew who was driving the vehicle and also knew the driver's cell phone number. Columbia Police officers called the driver, and he told them he had just let Baker out at McDonald's and the suspect was still in the parking lot.
Several officers responded to the scene, and Baker was taken into custody without incident and returned to the jail. He was charged with escape third degree by local officers.
The arrest was made by CPD Officer Tracy McCarol, who was assisted by CPD Officer Josh Brockman and Adair County Sheriff's Department deputies Bruce McCloud and Aaron Rainwater.