Georgia Department of Corrections

Brian Owens,
Commissioner

Joan Heath, Director –
Office of Public Affairs

Contact:
Office of Public Affairs
(404) 656-9772

  
For Immediate Release

GDC Fugitive Task Force Captures Escaped Inmate
Michael Tweedel Caught in DeKalb County

Atlanta – The Georgia Department of Corrections announced today the recapture of inmate Michael Tweedel, who escaped from Hays State Prison on October 13, 2008.  Tweedel was captured in DeKalb County by the Department of Corrections Fugitive Task Force.  Tweedel was serving two 10-year sentences for Armed Robbery out of Cobb County.

Ricky Myrick of the GDC Fugitive Task Force said leads collected by investigators led them to Tweedel around 10:30 Thursday night.  Tweedel was tracked down in the Atlanta area in a stolen vehicle.  When confronted, he attempted to run and a brief struggle ensued before he was apprehended.  Tweedel has been moved to the Hi-Max facility at Georgia Diagnostic and Classification Prison (GD&CP) in Jackson. 

Tweedel escaped from Hays State Prison with Johnny Mack Brown, who had been placed on the U.S Marshals’ 15 Most Wanted list.  Brown is currently at GD&CP.

“Our investigators worked this case every day since October 13 and the culmination of their hard work came together last night,” said Commissioner Brian Owens.  “The capture of Michael Tweedel affirms the Department’s commitment to our mission of public safety.”
 
Additional details surrounding the capture will be provided at a later date as the investigation continues.

The Department of Corrections is the fifth largest prison system in the United States and is responsible for supervising nearly 60,000 state prisoners and over 150,000 probationers.  It is the largest law enforcement agency in the state with approximately 15,000 employees.

####