Russell County escapee caught after Columbus chase
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A Russell County escapee is back in jail after a chase ended in Columbus.
Handy’s mugshot
32-year-old Ricky O’Neal Handy escaped on July 4th from the Russell County Jail. Handy led Alabama and Georgia law enforcement on a multi-day manhunt.
The manhunt ended when Columbus police located the inmate driving a reported stolen vehicle on Saturday, July 6, 2024. A chase was initiated and ended shortly afterward in the Civic Center parking lot.
The vehicle caught on fire and was extinguished by Columbus firefighters. Handy was taken to a nearby hospital for medical treatment and was placed into the Muscogee County Jail on 14 charges: safety belt law, no insurance, failure to stop at a stop sign, no state driver’s license, two counts of hit and run/leaving scene of an accident, contempt of court, theft by receiving stolen property-motor vehicle, reckless driving, fleeing or attempting to elude a police officer, possession and use of drug related objects, willful obstruction of a law enforcement officer, driving while license suspended or revoked, and no proof of insurance.
After facing charges in Columbus, he will be taken to Russell County on separate charges.
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