Escaped N.C. Inmate Captured by Chief Driving Golf Cart

EDEN, N.C. --

A Rockingham County inmate was captured Tuesday after he escaped custody following a medical examination at Morehead Hospital.

Rockingham County Sheriff's Department spokesman Dean Venable said the inmate, Tony Lee Anderson, 41, asked the detention officer if he could use the restroom at about 11:20 a.m.

Venable said the officer agreed and removed Anderson's transport restraints.

That's when, Venable said, Anderson overpowered the officer and ran away from the hospital wearing his green jumpsuit.

Eden Police Chief Reece Pyrtle, who was assisting in the search, saw Anderson at the nearby Meadowgreens Golf and County Club.

Pyrtle, who wasn't in uniform, jumped in a golf cart and drove up to Anderson as he was crossing the 11th green, Venable said.

Since Anderson didn't recognize Pyrtle as a law enforcement officer, he was able to take him into custody without incident just before 11:40 a.m.

Anderson was in custody on charges of unauthorized use of motor vehicle, possession of a stolen vehicle, felony larceny of a motor vehicle, common law robbery, larceny after breaking and entering, misdemeanor larceny, two counts of felony breaking and entering with larceny, felony possession of stolen goods and 18 counts of misdemeanor larceny.

Charges for the escape and assault are pending, Venable said.