Two escaped Tennessee inmates who kidnapped a Kentucky highway department employee, tied up a homeowner and stole a truck have been captured in Florida.
Kentucky State Police said Robert Brown, 36, and Christopher Osteen, 34, escaped from the Northwest Correctional Complex in Lake County, Tennessee, on Friday. The escapees were considered armed and dangerous.
Brown is serving an 18-year sentence for aggravated rape and Osteen is serving an eight-year sentence for burglary, state police said.
On Friday, the two men kidnapped a Kentucky highway employee from a boat ramp on the Mississippi River in Fulton County, the Henry County (TN) Sheriff’s Office reported on its Facebook page. The employee and truck were later found in Henry County.
Then, early Saturday morning, police located a Paris, Tennessee, resident who had been tied up in his home by the two men. They stole the victim’s red 2009 Chevrolet Silverado extended cab truck.
On Sunday, the two men were captured by the Broward County (Fla.) Sheriff’s Office and U.S. Marshals Service. The escapees were caught after they were spotted sitting in the stolen Silverado about 8:00 Sunday night. Brown and Osteen fled law enforcement on foot but were quickly caught.
The escapees have been returned to Tennessee.
By Ken Howlett, News Director
Contact Ken at ken@k105.com
