Escaped State Work Release Inmate Captured

May 19, 2022

A state work release inmate that escaped from custody May 4 in Escambia County was captured about 6 p.m. Wednesday in Santa Rosa County.

Anthony Ray Barnes was taken into custody on West Lake Road near Milton by the Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Office Violent Fugitive Task Force, Criminal Apprehension Team and Narcotics unit.

Barnes was observed fleeing a residence on West Lake Road as deputies were executing a warrant. K-9 units tracked Barnes and he was taken into custody without incident, according to Sgt. Rich Aloy, SRSO public information officer.

Barnes is facing additional charges of escape, property damage, and criminal mischief. He was booked into the Santa Rosa County Jail without bond.

Barnes has an extensive arrest record with multiple felony charges including battery, drug violations, and burglary. At the time of his escape, he was serving time for possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and fleeing and eluding from Santa Rosa County.

On May 4, he was assigned to L30 Traffic Services to hold traffic signs in the area of Mobile Highway and Boulder Street..

He checked in with a Florida Department of Corrections correctional officer at 2:04 p.m. that day. Then at 6:37 p.m. it was discovered Barnes had removed his ankle monitor and left the state’s work-release program. The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office  was asked to assist in the search for Barnes at 9 p.m.

Comments

9 Responses to “Escaped State Work Release Inmate Captured”

  1. William in Beulah on May 22nd, 2022 8:47 am

    Well said Sherry Walling, ao many so called Christians seem to forget that little fact. Jesus would have been ministering to the worst of the worst, trying to save those in danger of Hell fire.

  2. sherry walling on May 19th, 2022 1:45 pm

    Great job task force. It is obvious this man needs help. We are suppose to pray for prisoners…he is a child of God, too. Jesus didn’t go looking for perfect people to be His disciples. There is hope for all of us.

  3. No surprise on May 19th, 2022 1:44 pm

    If he was already serving time for fleeing and eluding, what’s the big surprise that he did it again when given the chance through work release?

  4. paul on May 19th, 2022 12:22 pm

    A career criminal, preying on the public, do us all a favor, no work release, lock him up,
    and keep him there.

  5. Rick Lester on May 19th, 2022 11:11 am

    Great job Task Force.

  6. Susie on May 19th, 2022 9:23 am

    Good job, guys!!! SRSO rocks!

  7. Fence Jumper on May 19th, 2022 8:50 am

    Awww. Looking out the window at the view of freedom from the back seat of a patrol car. Priceless

  8. River Rat on May 19th, 2022 8:43 am

    I just wonder! Were did he think he was going to be able to hide with a face like that??
    Glad they got him. Thanks Task Force and especially to the K9’s. You can run but you can’t hide! Some will never learn!

  9. JTV on May 19th, 2022 6:22 am

    Good looking Malinois. Great job Violent Fugitive Task Force and K9 unit. Take the trash out.