POTECASI – A Jackson man was arrested for breaking into a place of worship here and then escaped deputy custody at the Northampton County Jail.

Dwight Davis, 38, was taken into custody by the Northampton County Sheriff’s Office for the second time on Thursday afternoon after he escaped a deputy that was bringing the suspect back to the detention center from the courthouse following a bond hearing for breaking and entering.

According to Northampton County Sheriff Chief Deputy Major D.M. Harmon, dispatch received a call at approximately 11 a.m. in reference to a breaking and entering in progress at Potecasi Baptist Church on NC 35 in Potecasi.

“Officers arrived and found Dwight Davis inside and took him into custody,” Harmon said.

Davis was charged with breaking and entering a place of worship.

He was transported to the Northampton County Jail where he was processed and then walked across the street, his hands handcuffed in the front, to appear before a magistrate. He was given a $5,000 bond for the charge.

Davis was then escorted back to the jail entrance at approximately 12:35 p.m. At that time, as the deputy was securing his weapon the suspect took off running.

“The deputy pursued the suspect into a wooded area,” Harmon said.

Harmon said a perimeter was immediately set up around the wooded area.

The NCSO was assisted in the search by the Halifax County Sheriff’s Office, Murfreesboro, Rich Square, Jackson, Seaboard, Gaston and Garysburg police departments, the North Carolina Highway Patrol and the North Carolina Department of Corrections.

Harmon noted K-9s were brought from HCSO, Murfreesboro Police Department and the NCDOC.

Harmon said Davis was found in the wooded area and arrested again at 2:10 p.m.

Davis was charged with resisting a public official, obstruction of justice and misdemeanor larceny. He received a $10,000 bond for those additional charges.

He is still incarcerated in the Northampton County Jail.

Harmon thanked those officers that responded for assistance.

“We appreciate their assistance,” he said.