FROM STAFF REPORTS

Iredell County Sheriff’s Office personnel on Wednesday captured a man who escaped from a state prison last week.

Matthew Neil Brown, 37, was apprehended in southwest Statesville by ICSO deputies, Investigators and canine units, according to Sheriff Darren Campbell.

Brown, who was serving time for possession of stolen property, when he escaped from Caldwell Correctional Center in Lenoir on Monday, July 17.

ICSO personnel conducted an exhaustive search utilizing drones and canines last Tuesday after receiving information that a man matching Brown’s description had been seen in the area of Belle Meade Avenue area of western Iredell County.

Earlier Wednesday ICSO Warrant Squad deputies received information about a possible sighting near the end of Brown Summit Avenue near a homeless camp, according to the Sheriff’s Office.

When the deputies arrived at the location, the suspect ran away.

A perimeter was quickly established and drones and canine units were called to the scene. After a three-hour manhunt, Brown was located and taken into custody near Ravenwood Drive after being tracked by canine units.