CAPTURED: Teen who escaped from lockup in Columbia has been caught, SC officials say
The search for a convict who escaped from the the Department of Juvenile Justice’s Broad River Road Complex ended when the teenager was caught Thursday morning, South Carolina officials said.
Nicholas Rios was taken back into custody, DJJ tweeted just before noon. A tip called in to law enforcement led to the 16-year-old’s capture, DJJ said on Twitter.
Rios was spotted in Columbia at about 11:30 a.m., near the intersection of Buckner and Fairfield roads, DJJ said. He was arrested at the Flying J travel center near the intersection, and close to the junction with Interstate 20.
The Flying J is about eight miles east of the Broad River Road Complex.
Rios left the facility in Columbia Wednesday night, DJJ said on Twitter.
Information on how the teenager got out of the complex was not available.
Rios is serving a 35-year sentence on a criminal sexual conduct conviction, DJJ said.
Thee teen was tried as an adult for sexually assaulting a 72-year-old Surfside Beach woman, WPDE reported.
In December Rios pleaded guilty to attempted murder, first-degree burglary, first-degree criminal sexual assault and kidnapping the woman, the Sun News reported. The incident occurred in July, according to the Sun News.
His clothes were found outside of the complex and DJJ officials said Rios might have changed his appearance.
The South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) and local law enforcement searched for Rios, using air and ground units, according to the tweet.
Rios was given a medical exam before returning to the complex, DJJ said.
This is a developing story, check back for updates.
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This story was originally published January 16, 2020 at 7:15 AM.
