U.S. Marshals Capture Convicted Killer from Mississippi in Macon

MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – A convicted killer who escaped from Mississippi State Penitentiary in Parchman was found sleeping in a stolen truck in Macon around 1:30 am Tuesday morning.

According to Deputy United States Marshal, W.S. Robertson, the fugitive, 48-year-old Michael Dowda, escaped from a work detail around 3pm on Saturday. Dowda is currently serving a life term in prison for murder. U.S. Marshals from Mississippi told Robertson, Dowda stole a white Chevy Silverado and two handguns.

The investigation led Robertson and other U.S. Marshals to the Comfort Inn and Suites on Arkwright Road in Macon. There was no white Silverado in sight, but Robertson spotted a black one in a parking lot adjacent to both the hotel, and Logan’s Roadhouse. The fugitive had spray-painted the car while on the run.

Robertson says the truck was backed into shrubs, and when he went behind to check the tag, it matched the one Dowda had stolen. The fugitive was found asleep in the car, but when Robertson got in his own truck to block him in, Dowda pulled out.

Robertson and assisting U.S. Marshals got ahead of the fugitive and blocked him in. Dowda surrendered without trying to escape. Both of the handguns were recovered.