An escaped felon who eluded Jefferson County Sheriff’s officers for a day and a half was apprehended Jan. 29 in bushes near Fat Smitty’s restaurant near Discovery Bay.

“He’s in custody,” said Art Frank, chief criminal investigator for Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office (JCSO), of the man being sought by officers.

Hugo O. Madriz, 39, of Tacoma was booked into Jefferson County Jail at 1:05 p.m. on Monday, Jan. 29 on possible charges of violating community custody, theft, burglary, vehicle prowling and eluding police vehicles, according to the JCSO jail roster.

The incident began at about 1 a.m., Sunday, Jan. 28 when Jefferson County Sheriff’s Sgt. Brett Anglin stopped a maroon Kia vehicle on suspicion of speeding.

The driver, later identified as Madriz, left the scene, and deputies pursued him as he headed into the woods, according to a press release from JCSO.

Law enforcement personnel searched for Madriz near the Four Corners/Adelma Beach area, about 5 miles outside Port Townsend, on Sunday to try to locate him.

Madriz was wanted on a felony Department of Corrections escape warrant, according to law enforcement.

Frank said assisting agencies included the Washington State Patrol, U.S. Border Patrol and U.S. Coast Guard.

JCSO advised residents by a Nixle alert – an emergency system people can sign up for to receive notices of public safety alerts – not to pick up hitchhikers and to call 911 to report any suspicious activity.

At 1:51 p.m. on Sunday, an alert was issued advising motorists of law enforcement activity along State Route 20 near Four Corners.

Madriz was not known to be armed, according to the release, but law enforcement advised people not to approach him.

Deputies searched the wooded area for several hours, and on Sunday, people reported suspicious activity at the Four Corners Store. Madriz had apparently contacted several people asking for help.

Law enforcement was called, and deputies eventually gained sight of Madriz as he went into the woods.

Deputies attempted to search this area with the use of a K-9, but were unable to locate Madriz.

Madriz was later seen near Adelma Beach but evaded capture, according to the press release.

RIDE TO HIGHWAY 101

Frank said Madriz got a ride from a “good samaritan” who drove him to the intersection of Highway 101 and State Route 20.

It was there, on Monday, that Madriz was seen hiding in the bushes behind Fat Smitty’s restaurant and apprehended, Frank said.

Frank said he did not know how Madriz gained access to the Kia.