Lewis County Herald - Serving Hohenwald, Lewis County Tennessee Since 1898

Lewis County Sheriff’s Department and numerous agencies and the US Marshal Service were involved in the search for an escaped Lawrence County inmate who escaped from the Lawrence County work release program in the early part of last week.

Following a three-day search, Luke Dowdy of Lewis County was captured around noon Saturday, July 11 in the area of The Farm.

Lewis County Sheriff Deputies Dustin Carroll and Dustin Barber were called to the area of The Farm earlier in the morning after watchmen of the community spotted Dowdy and called 911.

Several sightings on roads in the area of The Farm were made. At some point, Dowdy stole a black Versa and tried to escape the area.

A call reported the escapee had been spotted near The Farm Store. Deputy Carroll saw the vehicle traveling down the road and initiated a stop. He approached the vehicle and Dowdy surrendered.

Dowdy had previously stolen a Mercedes containing a .38 caliber handgun from Lawrence County following his escape. He abandoned the vehicle around the Walker Road area. The handgun was located lying beside him in the Versa.

Dowdy was transported back to Lawrence County Jail. He has multiple arrests including an Alabama armed robbery of a gas station. He also faces Lewis County charges of felon in possession, theft and a misdemeanor.