Harris County deputies capture escaped inmate

HOUSTON (FOX 26) - The Harris County Sheriff's Office says an escaped inmate has been captured. HCSO says the inmate escaped from inside the jail releasing area at around 4:30 p.m. Wednesday.

Federal immigration authorities were scheduled to pick up Manuel Enrique Alvarez-Soto, 35, when he was able to pass through an exit at the Harris County Inmate Processing Center on 1201 Commerce Street in downtown Houston.

Alvarez-Soto had been in custody since 1 a.m. Tuesday following his arrest on misdemeanor charges of theft and trespassing. He had been approved for release on bond, but was still being held at the jail facility on the request of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

Preliminary indications are that Alvarez-Soto hid from view inside the inmate releasing area before ICE agents were scheduled to arrive and then left the facility through the exit that inmates use after they are approved for release.

Anyone with information regarding this case is encouraged to contact HCSO by phone at 713-221-6000.