Leland Randolph (Source: Angelina County Jail)TRINITY COUNTY, TX (KTRE) -
Law enforcement officers in Trinity County nabbed a fugitive that has been on the run for the better part of two days Friday afternoon. Leland Randolph was found in a heavily wooded area near Apple Springs and taken into custody a little after 4 p.m.
"Dogs and officers were able to close in on him with a good scent, and was spotted by a highway patrol trying to cross the road, and broke and run again," Trinity County Sheriff Ralph Montemayor said. "We put dogs and people on him and cornered him about 4 o'clock and put him under arrest. He just said he was sorry that he had to make us look for him this long. "
Early Friday morning, authorities called off the manhunt. However, the search resumed around 11 a.m. Friday after a Trinity County resident in the Apple Springs area spotted Randolph. Horses and search dogs from the Texas Department of Criminal Justice were brought into assist with the search.
Before the initial manhunt began Thursday morning, he was seen carrying a handgun on Beef Road near Groveton. Trinity County Sheriff Ralph Montemayor said authorities focused their efforts on Trinity County and Angelina County because he has family in both.
Viewers in the Centralia and Apple Springs area reported that several law enforcement agencies assisted in the manhunt. In addition, a helicopter was brought in to assist with the search.
According to the Texas Rangers, Randolph is wanted for numerous felony warrants, including burglary of a habitation in Jasper and Hardin counties, revocation of probation in Angelina County, and possession of a controlled substance and evading arrest in Trinity County.
The Trinity County Sheriff's Office, Constables Office, Texas Department of Public Safety, Texas Rangers and Texas Game Wardens are all involved in the search.
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