Escaped Hanceville inmate Justin McCoy Booth was captured in Jefferson County early Thursday morning. / Photo courtesy of the Hanceville Police Department
HANCEVILLE – Justin McCoy Booth, the inmate who escaped custody in Hanceville Monday night, was captured in Jefferson County early Thursday morning, according to Hanceville Police Chief Bob Long.
Booth, 23, of Odenville, was in the process of being released from the Hanceville jail Monday night, and was to be held for pickup on an outstanding warrant for burglary in St. Clair County, when he managed to escape the facility. A vehicle pursuit ensued, resulting in Hanceville Police Officer Jason Hare, 41, being severely injured in a three-vehicle crash at the intersection of U.S. Highway 31 and Alabama Highway 91.
Of Booth’s capture, Long told The Tribune, “It’s (the story of the escape) been aired on TV and in newspapers, and we had numerous tips. We believed he was in the Birmingham area, because that’s originally where they were hanging out prior to their arrest. It was a combination of modern technology and just boots on the ground, old-fashioned police work down there, beating around looking for him.”
Long said his department sent Deputy Chief Adam Hadder and Lt. Brannon Hammick to Jefferson County on Wednesday. “They were there most of the day. They followed up on all the tips and leads they could get. Jefferson County was gracious, and they sent two deputies out with these guys, and they ran around most of the evening, into the early morning hours. They finally tracked him down in a house in Southside in Birmingham.”
Booth wasn’t the only one arrested at the home.
“There were numerous subjects there, and I think about half a dozen people ended up going to jail on outstanding warrants, in addition to Booth,” Long said.
Booth is now facing additional charges.
“We have put a felony escape charge on him, and also, we charged him with misdemeanor theft when he stole our jail uniform when he ran out the door,” shared Long. “He has a burglary charge in St. Clair County, which he’ll be facing that, and I believe he has another outstanding warrant in another county.”
Booth is currently being held in the Hanceville jail, but will be sent to the Cullman County Detention Center soon, according to the chief.
“I talked with him,” said Long. “He says that he made a bad mistake and he has no intention of doing it again. I told him those 48 hours may have cost him 10 or 15 years.”
Long said his department has a felony hold on Booth, and he may be eligible for bond when he gets to the Cullman County Detention Center, but he’ll be transferred to St. Clair County or one of the other agencies from which he has warrants.
Officer Hare remains in serious condition at UAB, according to Long. “He is improving daily; he is still in serious condition, but is stable. He’s conscious and alert. He’s got some fractured bones in his face and a broken shoulder blade. He has a long road to recovery.”
On Wednesday, a GoFundMe page was set up to raise funds for Hare and his family.
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