MERIWETHER COUNTY, Ga. — Authorities are stepping up their search for one of two escaped inmates in Meriwether County.
Officers say 34-year-old Eugene Mitchell and 29-year-old Travion Hall escaped the county jail around 7:30 p.m. Tuesday.
The Meriwether County Sheriff's Office reports Hall has been captured at the Garden Inn & Suites Hotel in Hogansville, Georgia. %
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Mitchell was being held on charges of statutory rape, aggravated sexual battery, burglary, child molestation and other charges. He is about 5 foot 10 inches tall and weighs about 155 pounds.
Hall was being held on a probation violation charge.
Authorities said it was a cellphone signal that led them about 20 miles from the jail straight to room 108 at the Garden Inn & Suites Hotel and Travion Hall who alongside another inmate escaped the county jail Tuesday night, picking a lock on the door to a utility closet, climbing pipes and crawling up a gate leading to a roof.
Mitchell and Hall, then climbed pipes and cracked up a gate leading to the roof, Smith said.
“Once they got into the roof, they were able to get onto the ground and flee the compound,” Smith said.
The sheriff told Channel 2's Tom Regan that Mitchell went to a house he used to live.
Mitchell's former friend, Rico Young, told Regan Mitchell broke into the house and attacked his fiance.
"He came to the house, kicked in the back door, choked her, got some clothes and he was getting ready to flee," Young said.
Investigators are using K-9 units, deputies and law officer from outside agencies in the search.
Local residents told Channel 2’s Nicole Carr they are glued to the story.
“I hope that Hogansville has this under control. I hope the Police Department has it and I have faith in them,” said resident Carmen Maddox. “I hope I’m going to be safe. Definitely make sure my door is locked tonight.
Hall was re-booked at the Meriwether County jail. But taken to another facility to serve his time.
Anyone who sees Mitchell is urged to call 911 immediately.