An inmate who escaped from the Erath County Jail on Tuesday morning was captured about three hours later after a multi-agency search that included a Texas Game Warden K9 unit, drone technology, and local, state, and federal law enforcement officers.
Treston Nolte escaped custody shortly before 11 a.m. on August 3 while being housed at the Erath County Jail under an inter-agency agreement with Coryell County, according to the Erath County Sheriff’s Office.
Authorities said Nolte was apprehended after an extensive search and was returned to the Erath County Jail, where he was booked on an additional charge of escape, a third-degree felony.
Texas Game Warden K9 Lola Helped Track Escaped Inmate
The search was aided by Texas Game Warden K9 Lola, whose handler tracked Nolte’s scent after he discarded a pair of pants during the escape.
According to the Texas Game Wardens, Lola followed the scent trail for more than a mile, navigating across streets, through business areas and down alleys before reaching the Bosque River.
Despite Nolte’s attempt to throw investigators off his trail by abandoning his clothing, Lola tracked him to the opposite side of the river, where he was taken back into custody by deputies with the Erath County Sheriff’s Office.
The search also utilized a drone operated by the Texas Game Wardens’ Unmanned Aircraft Systems Program.
After the operation concluded successfully, the agency joked in a social media post that “Lola got a bath.”
More Than a Dozen Agencies Assisted in Search
The Erath County Sheriff’s Office said deputies and command staff launched a large-scale search within minutes of learning about the escape.
Resources from more than a dozen agencies — including personnel, K9 teams, aircraft and specialized equipment — were deployed. Officials also credited tips from members of the public and local businesses with helping investigators locate the escaped inmate.
Agencies that assisted in the search included:
- Erath County Sheriff’s Office
- Stephenville Police Department
- Dublin Police Department
- Tarleton Police Department
- Texas Department of Public Safety
- Texas Rangers
- Texas Game Wardens
- Erath County Constables
- Erath County Emergency Management
- Hood County Sheriff’s Office
- Somervell County Sheriff’s Office
- Coryell County Sheriff’s Office
- Texas Department of Criminal Justice
- Texas Board of Criminal Justice Office of Inspector General
- U.S. Marshals Service North Texas Fugitive Task Force
Investigation Into Escape Continues
The Erath County Sheriff’s Office has not released details about how Nolte escaped, saying the circumstances remain part of an ongoing criminal investigation.
Officials said escapes of this nature can sometimes last for days or even weeks, but credited the rapid response from multiple agencies with bringing the incident to a safe conclusion in approximately three hours.
Before his escape, Nolte was being held in Erath County for Coryell County as part of an inter-agency housing agreement. Jail records show that Nolte was previously charged with driving while intoxicated and escape while arrested, in addition to a felony charge for his escape on Tuesday. His combined bond for the three charges totals $330,500.
Provided by Dallas Express
