Newton County Escaped Inmate Captured in North Carolina After 6 Days On the Run

In a collaborative effort between law enforcement agencies, Kendrick Hurst, the inmate who escaped from custody on May 4, 2024, was captured in Wake County, North Carolina, on Friday morning, May 10th.

Newton County Sheriff Ezell Brown commended the diligent work of the Newton County Sheriff’s Office along with local, state, and federal authorities for their efforts in locating and detaining Hurst. Sheriff Brown also expressed gratitude to the public for their assistance and cooperation during the search.

Hurst now faces additional charges related to his escape, in addition to the charges he initially faced. These charges include escape, improper backing, fleeing or attempting to elude a police officer, failure to stop at a yield sign, failure to signal when turning, driving on the wrong side of the roadway, improper lane usage, passing on a solid yellow line, driving on a divided highway crossing on a median, reckless driving, speeding (10-14 over), terroristic threats and acts (2 counts), willful obstruction of law enforcement officers, and disobeying a traffic control device.

An ongoing internal investigation is underway to determine who aided Hurst in his escape and whether proper policies were followed during his transport back to the Newton County Detention Center from Piedmont Newton Hospital.