Deputy On Leave After GA Inmate's Escape: Sheriff

Updated 12:54 p.m.

COVINGTON, GA — The escape of a Rockdale County inmate at an Atlanta hospital is under criminal and internal investigation, Rockdale County Sheriff Eric J. Levett said at a news conference held Wednesday.

The full manhunt for Timothy Shane spanned 31 hours before he was arrested in the 9000 block of Morris Drive in Covington, he added.

Authorities searched in at least four counties after they say he escaped a deputy's custody around 1:15 a.m. Monday at Grady Memorial Hospital. He had been at the facility since around 8 p.m. Sunday.

Shane was being medically examined after a suicide attempt while in the Rockdale County Jail, authorities said. Levett said he believed the attempt was staged based on interviews with other inmates.

While at the hospital, leg irons and handcuffs were removed from Shane to hinder metal interference with medical testing, per policy, he said.

There were initially two deputies with Shane at the hospital; but, that later dwindled to one deputy for an unknown reason, Levett said.

Authorities are waiting on hospital surveillance footage to determine how Shane was able to evade the deputy, Levett said. The deputy was placed on administrative leave Monday, the sheriff added.

Levett said after this incident, his office will review its policies and make amendments, if necessary.

"I'm a believer that when a crime happens in Rockdale County, we're going to solve that crime," he said.

What Happened?

While fleeing from the hospital, authorities said Shane stole a parked SUV that was running and later crashed the vehicle between Piedmont and Auburn avenues in Atlanta before running from the scene.

The owner of the SUV told authorities a Glock handgun was stolen from the vehicle, prompting them to consider Shane to be armed and dangerous, they said. Levett said authorities have not yet recovered the gun.

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He swapped his blue hospital gown and bare feet for a red-hooded sweatshirt and dark blue pants with shoes, authorities said.

Video footage captured him taking a silver Pontiac Grand Prix near the Mercedes-Benz Stadium, but the car was later found at a Highway 155 grocery store in Henry County, authorities said Tuesday.

Levett said Flock cameras captured the car around 8:15 a.m. Tuesday. Furthermore, Levett said they learned he had a conversation with a person unfamiliar to him in the parking lot, and the Grand Prix was recovered.

Shane was accused of then requesting an Uber to a home in Rockdale, but authorities said when they conducted a search warrant at the residence, they did not find Shane.

Undercover officers were then deployed to a Rockdale address known to Shane, but again, they did not find him though they determined he had been at the home earlier in the day, Levett said.

Investigators later determined Shane visited a Highway 278 donut shop around 4:45 p.m., Levett said.

At some point, Shane contacted another ride-share that dropped him off in the middle of Monticello Way in Newton County, Levett said.

That day, Covington Police was called to a suspicious person call regarding someone knocking on doors, Levett said.

K9 officers were then deployed to the area, and Levett said Ring camera footage confirmed the person's identity as Shane. The Georgia State Patrol's helicopter was then activated, and Shane was ultimately arrested at Morris Drive.

Authorities do not yet know how Shane was making calls as a cell phone was not recovered, he said.

Shane has been returned to the Rockdale County Jail, where he will face additional charges, Levett said.

Rockdale County Jail records on Monday showed Shane was arrested on Nov. 24 on charges of felony fleeing or attempt to elude a police officer for a felony offense, possession of methamphetamine, possession of firearm or knife during the commission of or attempt to commit certain felonies, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon during the commission of a felony and receipt, possession or transfer of firearm by convicted felon or felony first offender. He was granted a cash or property bond of $1000 total for charges of no insurance and reckless driving, jail records showed.

If you or someone you know is considering self-harm or suicide, there are resources available. The National Suicide Prevention Hotline operates 24 hours a day and can be reached at 988. The Crisis Text Line can provide support through text messages by texting "HOME" to 741741.