RUTHERFORD COUNTY, Tenn. — Authorities are crediting a homeowner and a neighbor with helping end the days-long escape of two inmates accused of killing two corrections officers.
Ricky Dubose and Donnie Rowe forced their way into a couple’s home and tied them up in Bedford County, Tennessee, Thursday, investigators said.
They then stole the couple’s SUV, authorities say.
As soon as the couple got loose, the man called 911. During the call, the man asks police to "please hurry" and then comforts his wife, who is sobbing.
"You survived. You survived. You did a good job. Come here, let me hug you," he said.
An officer spotted the stolen vehicle hours later on Interstate 24.
The Tennessee Highway Patrol said after a brief pursuit and foot chase, Dubose and Rowe ran through the woods to a home in the rural community of Christina.
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"The homeowner did come out, he requested a neighbor who lived just over the way from him to come over and assist, that neighbor also brought his firearm and together they secured these two suspects until the Rutherford County Sheriff's Department was able to come and apprehend them," said THP Lt. Bill Miller.
The homeowner, Patrick Hale, spoke at a news conference Friday afternoon, saying the inmates surrendered willingly and he never had to pull his firearm. He said he saw the inmates coming towards his home, grabbed his daughter and ran to the car. As he began to back up, the inmates ran towards him waving their shirts in the air.
"They began to take of their shirts and start waving them at us as if to slow us down. My vehicle looks very similar to a police cruiser, I don't know if that's the reason they started to surrender. I had a weapon on me, but I never had to draw the weapon," Hale said.
He said they then laid down in his driveway and stayed there until police arrived.
"If that doesn't make you believe in Jesus Christ, I don't know what will," Hale said.