A Georgia homeowner held an inmate at gunpoint Thursday after he fled into the woods and was on the run for three days.
Towns County Sheriff’s Office Said The inmate, Bruce Douglas Partin Jr., 39, was working at the county dump on Monday when he escaped into the woods off Highway 288 around 2:30 p.m.
Kirby, however, had a gun, and authorities say he pulled it out and ordered Partin to the ground, which Partin did.
The sheriff’s office deployed a drone and a K-9 tracking dog but was unsuccessful. Partin is being held in the Towns County Jail awaiting a court appearance, authorities said. Charges include: purchasing, possessing, manufacturing, distributing or selling marijuana, theft, violation of probation and theft.
authorities Added Partin was spotted on a trail camera at the end of Ivy Mountain Road in the Forder Creek area on Tuesday at approximately 1:20 p.m. A Facebook post from the sheriff’s office included two photos showing Partin in the woods.
The sheriff’s office added that the Georgia State Police, Georgia Bureau of Investigation and Department of Natural Resources assisted in the search for and arrest of Partin using all available resources, including aerial patrols and police dogs. Authorities added that the suspect remained at large as of 4:40 p.m. Tuesday.
Captured
Sheriff’s Office Said A resident on Ford Creek Road in the Gander Gap area spotted Partin wearing an orange prison uniform around 5:15 p.m. Thursday and called 911. Sheriff’s deputies were dispatched to the scene to search for the suspect, authorities said.
About two hours later, Steven Kirby, of Bester Road, was inside his home when his labradoodle, Odie, began aggressively warning him that someone was outside, according to the sheriff’s office.
Kirby went outside and Partin, who is 6-foot-4, confronted him, according to the sheriff’s office. But Kirby had a gun, and authorities say he pulled it out and ordered Partin to the ground, which Partin did.
Ann image A post on the sheriff’s Facebook page shows Kirby pointing a gun at Partin, who is lying face-down with his ankles crossed and his hands behind his back.
According to authorities, Kirby’s wife, Amy, called 911 and sheriff’s deputies rushed to the scene and took Partin into custody just after 7 p.m. Partin was arrested about six miles southwest of where he fled, according to online maps.
The sheriff’s office said Kirby was committed to protecting his family and property from harm.
According to authorities, Sheriff Ken Henderson expressed his gratitude to the residents of Forder Creek for their vigilance and support, but most of all thanked Kirby for his courage and initiative: “It’s truly a pleasure to work in a community where we have residents like Mr. Kirby who always have our backs and, in cases like this, are there to physically assist us when needed.”
In addition, the Kirby family Friday A $500 reward was offered for information leading to Partin’s arrest, and Steven Kirby and his dog, Odie, were given recognition.
Photo courtesy of Towns County (GA) Sheriff’s Office
“Sheriff Henderson strongly supports the Second Amendment and the right to bear arms and is grateful that Mr. Kirby’s instincts kicked in and he did everything in his power to protect not only his family and property but his community,” the sheriff’s office said on Facebook.
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