Inmate who carved his way through Texas jail wall recaptured

Authorities have captured an inmate they say carved his way through a brick wall to escape the Gregg County Jail.

Jace Martin Laws, 34, of Gladewater was captured Friday in the Gladewater area, Gregg County sheriff’s Lt. Josh Tubb said.

The sheriff’s office reported the escape on Thursday.

Authorities say Laws carved out portions of the brick in the Gregg County South Jail, gaining access to the building infrastructure, and making his way to the exterior Gregg County Courthouse.

“It’s been worthwhile, but it’s unfortunate everyone had to go through this incident,” said Gregg County Sheriff Maxey Cerliano.

According to Cerliano, Laws was first spotted at around 3:30 a.m. Friday near the Gladewater airport.

Cerliano said someone who knew him identified as he was attempting to open doors in an effort to get into buildings.

Laws was seen an hour later at a cabin in the area.

He had shaved his hair and was wearing a black jogging suit when he was captured.

When he escaped he had been wearing a white T-shirt and white shorts.

Cerliano said a perimeter was set around the cabin.

Laws was still able to evade capture at the time, but was later arrested without incident.

Laws will be arraigned at the Smith County courthouse on an escape charge and then immediately taken back to Gregg County.

Cerliano reported Laws was a model inmate while at Gregg County Jail.

He said authorities weren't able to identify the particular method he used to escape until they discovered he was missing.

Cerliano also reported they believe Laws had help with his escape.

"Obviously he had help getting around. That investigation remains current."

Laws was originally arrested in September 2018 on two charges of assault on a peace

Laws was originally arrested in September 2018 on two charges of assault on a peace officer and evading arrest/detention after a fight with police officers and a short pursuit in Longview.