Escaped TDCJ inmate captured: Robert Yancy Jr. from Clemens Unit in Brazoria found in Matagorda County
BRAZORIA, Texas - An inmate who escaped from the Texas Department of Criminal Justice’s Clemens Unit in Brazoria on Sunday has been captured in Matagorda County, authorities say.
According to the Matagorda County Sheriff’s Office, Robert Yancy Jr., 39, was found near FM 521 at the Colorado River around 7:30 a.m. after deputies received a tip about someone who looked like him. Authorities say deputies found him walking and positively identified him.
Photos: Texas Department of Criminal Justice
According to TDCJ, the Office of Inspector General also arrested two other people in Victoria who were believed to be involved in his escape. Leonor Priestle, his mother, was charged with Permit/Facilitate an Escape and Russell Williams was charged with Criminal Intent to Escape, officials say.
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TDCJ said Yancy escaped Sunday from the Clemens Unit, where he was serving a life sentence without parole for continuous sexual abuse of a child out of Victoria County.
Robert Yancy
The Brazoria County Pct. 4 Constable’s Office said Yancy had last been seen around 4 p.m. Sunday with his mother driving a white 2021 Nissan Versa.
The Brazoria County Sheriff’s Office says they entered the license plate into a state-wide license plate reader system and soon after received a hit indicating the vehicle was in Victoria County at approximately 6:09 p.m.
Robert Yancy Jr.
According to the Victoria Police Department, officers conducted a traffic stop on a white Nissan around 8:25 p.m. Sunday in connection to the escaped inmate. Police say the female driver, the sole occupant, had an outstanding warrant related to the escaped inmate, and she was taken into custody.
On Monday morning, Brazoria County deputies said another person was also in custody.
"TDCJ thanks the local and state law enforcement agencies and the Office of Inspector General who assisted in the search and the arrests," TDCJ said in a statement.