HUNTSVILLE, Texas — The Texas Department of Criminal Justice said an inmate who escaped from the Huntsville Unit early Sunday morning has been taken back into custody in Calallen, which is west of Corpus Christi.
Jesus Villareal, 39, is serving a 63-year sentence on four counts of aggravated robbery and two counts of aggravated assault out of Cameron County. TDCJ said he was also charged with possession of a deadly weapon in a penal institution in 2015. He'll now face a felony escape charge as well.
A woman has also been arrested in Villareal's escape. TDCJ said the Office of Inspector General (OIG) took Melissa Lozano into custody for hindering apprehension.
A public information officer told KHOU 11's Katiera Winfrey they believe the inmate used a rope to climb down the wall of the prison before he robbed a nearby gas station just before 12:30 a.m. TDCJ said Villareal stole the keys and took off in a stolen car.
A manager at the gas station told KHOU 11 the man didn't demand any money, just the employee's keys.
Authorities said the car was spotted in a parking lot in Calallen.
Villareal was taken into custody by the OIG and the U.S. Marshall Service Gulf Coast Violent Offenders Task Force.
TDCJ said they don't yet know how he made it out of the prison unseen, but are investigating and will take a look at its policies.