The manhunt for a prisoner who escaped during a transport on Interstate 71 in Wayne County on Friday is over. The Ohio State Highway Patrol says that Said Ali El-Khatib was taken into custody in Ashland at 6 AM. He is now in the Ashland County jail.
Around 5 a.m. OSHP recieved a call from the Goasis Mart stating that El-Khatib had entered the store. When troopers arrived, El-Khatib fled the scene, OSHP said.
While searching the parking lot of a Motel 6, troopers received a tip from a man that El-Khatib was in the lobby of the motel. Troopers entered the Motel 6 and found El-Khatib sitting in the lobby.
El-Khatib fled on foot, but authorities found him under a pine tree near the back of the parking lot of the Motel 6.
The 33-year-old inmate was on a prison transport from New York to Indiana when he escaped at a rest area, according to the Ohio State Highway Patrol.
Local authorities, OSHP and the U.S. Marshals Service worked to locate El-Khatib, who escaped wearing a waist chain that was shackled to his ankle.
El-Khatib was considered dangerous and had a history with firearms, U.S. Marshals said.
U.S. Marshals attributed the capture to a 9-1-1 call and the diligence of citizens.
"The people of Ashland care about their communities," U.S. Marshals said.
How El-Khatib escaped his restraints is under investigations but it appears someone helped him get them off, according to U.S. Marshals.
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