An escapee from the Shelby County Jail in Columbiana remained on the loose for about nine hours

last Thursday before being arrested in the Hollins community of Clay County.

According to the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office, Timothy Riley Morris, 27, last known to reside in Shelby, was discovered missing after a citizen notified the Sheriff’s Office at about 1 p.m. last Thursday that a white male wearing an inmate uniform was seen running from the vicinity of the county jail in Columbiana.

Sheriff’s personnel and members of the Columbiana Police Department responded to the area but were unable to locate the white male. After a head count was conducted at the jail, it was discovered that inmate Morris was missing.

An investigation revealed that Morris had escaped from a modular building on the grounds of the current jail by kicking a hole in the floor a maintenance closet.

At about 10 p.m. the same day, members of the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office, Talladega County Sheriff’s Office and Clay County Sheriff’s Office arrested Morris for escape in the Hollins community of Clay County.

Shelby County Sheriff’s Office investigators followed numerous leads that led to an acquaintance of Morris’s in Clay County. As a result of the investigation, two were taken into custody on outstanding warrants and one for aiding and abetting the escapee. Names were being withheld pending formal charges.

Sheriff Chris Curry thanked the Talladega and Clay county sheriff’s officers for playing a vital role in the apprehension of Morris.

Capt. Chris Corbell of the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office said Riley has since been released on his original bond plus a $5,000 bond for escape totaling $7,681.

Morris was being held on three alias warrants for failing to appear in court on two counts of driving while suspended and one count of improper tag with bonds totaling $2,681.

According to the Sheriff’s Office, this is an excellent example of how law enforcement agencies can work together to take a wanted fugitive into custody