AHOSKIE – A Windsor man is facing numerous felony charges today after being connected to the theft of an Ahoskie Police car and a Ford pickup, also owned by the Town of Ahoskie.

The arrest ends the search for a fugitive being sought by Hertford County Sheriff officials following an escape from custody last week.

Harry Davis White Jr., 35, went missing a week ago today (Tuesday) after being apprehended for assault on a female in Bertie County.

The escape took place outside of Ahoskie and police had been searching relentlessly since the subject was handcuffed from behind.

Just after 8:30 Friday night, the Ahoskie Police Department received a call that the fence had been damaged near the Ahoskie wastewater treatment plant on the Johnny Mitchell Road.

Once officers began to check out the complaint, they realized both a truck and a patrol car had been stolen.

&uot;We immediately put out a ‘be on the look out,’&uot; said Ahoskie Police Chief Troy Fitzhugh. &uot;We had officers from the Hertford County Sheriff’s Office, the Bertie County Sheriff’s Office and the N.C. State Highway Patrol come in and assist..&uot;

Approximately two hours into the search, another witness contacted the Ahoskie Police Department that a truck had been seen about one half mile from the wastewater treatment plant gate, parked on the side of the road.

&uot;The witness said they saw the driver get out and head toward the woods,&uot; Fitzhugh said. &uot;We contacted Caledonia Prison and officers W. King and B. Drewette brought in the bloodhounds.&uot;

The dogs picked up a scent from the parked truck and led officers to White.

White has been charged with felonious breaking and entering, one count of felonious larceny, two counts of felonious larceny of a motor vehicle and one count of felonious possession of a motor vehicle.

In addition, the Hertford County Sheriff’s office is charging White with three counts of felonious breaking and entering and two counts of felonious larceny.

White still faces the original charges of assault on a female and assault inflicting serious injury that allegedly occurred in Bertie County.

&uot;He went from bad to a whole lot worst,&uot; said Hertford County Sheriff Juan Vaughan. &uot;We had picked White up on the assault charges when he slipped away from us, but he went from those crimes to a world of trouble if convicted on these felony charges.&uot;

Fitzhugh commended some quick decision making on behalf of Sgt. K. Burgess, who ordered all Taurus vehicles used by the police department to be parked while searching for the missing Taurus.

&uot;The car that was stolen is a marked Ford Taurus, including blue lights,&uot; Fitzhugh said. &uot;Once [Burgess] realized the make and model of the stolen car, he immediately ordered any active patrol car of similar make and model to be parked.

&uot;This prevented officers involved in the search from riding around and not knowing if we were looking at the stolen vehicle or not,&uot; Fitzhugh said. &uot;This was an excellent move. &uot;[Burgess] also did an excellent job in coordinating the perimeter being set up,&uot; Fitzhugh stated.

Fitzhugh thanked the two sheriff’s offices and the highway patrol for their assistance as well as the Warden from Caledonia Correctional Facility for the use of the bloodhounds.

The arrest was marked a success, however, Fitzhugh said the case is far from over.

&uot;We are still missing a patrol car,&uot; he said. &uot;We think there was at least one other person involved, if not more.&uot;

Authorities across North Carolina and the state of Virginia have been notified of the missing law enforcement vehicle.

White remains in Hertford County Jail under a $500,000 bond.