The search is over for a man who escaped police custody in Estill County earlier this week.
Daniel Patterson, Jr., 34, was arrested Friday around 7 p.m. in the woods outside his parents’ house on Johnny Dizney Road in Knox County.
“I love him so much,” said Phyllis Patterson, Daniel’s mother. “I don’t understand how he got away.”
“Been worried the whole time,” said Daniel Patterson Sr., Daniel’s father. “I didn’t think he’d come back.”
http://liarcatchers.com/index.php
The couple’s son became the subject of a multi-county search. Patterson’s escape even prompted a safety alert on Eastern Kentucky University’s campus. His wife, who is a student worker there, told LEX 18 that Patterson was dangerous and could be coming after her. She even went into hiding until he was caught.
“He’s always been a real good boy until he got on drugs,” said Daniel Patterson Sr.
“When he’s on the drugs, he’s a whole different person,” said Phyllis Patterson. “He needs help.”
State Police were taking the 34-year-old from Clark to Estill County for a hearing on Wednesday, when they say he picked the lock on his handcuffs and ran.
“I’d like to see them catch him and get him help without him getting hurt or getting in any more trouble,” said Patterson Sr.
Early Friday morning, the truck Patterson is believed to have stolen from Estill County was found near his parents’ home on Johnny Dizney Road.
“I never thought he would come back here,” Phyllis Patterson told LEX 18.
The Knox County Sheriff’s Department said Patterson even went to his brother’s home nearby and stole a gun and cash.
“I think he’s already gone,” Phyllis Patterson said.
The escapee was apparently still in that same area. Around 7 p.m. Friday night, Patterson was arrested in the woods right outside his parents’ home.
“I was really scared and I was afraid for his life,” said Phyllis Patterson.
“It’s a relief for us to get him in jail where he can’t get the drugs,” said Daniel Patterson Sr.
The Pattersons are relieved their son is back behind bars, but they told LEX 18, they believe Patterson was never a danger to anyone except himself.
Daniel Patterson is charged in connection with an armed robbery in June at the Cash Express in Estill County.
He is now in the Knox County Jail.
