Randolph county fugitive captured

Authorities report An inmate who had been on the run since early Wednesday when he escaped in Wedowee was found by Randolph County authorities Saturday. According to Randolph County Sheriff Office Chief Deputy Billy Lane, 36-year-old Ernest Smith was arrested Saturday afternoon in a wooded area on County Road 26 in the Broughton community not far from Roanoke. Lane says a resident called authorities saying Smith had been spotted near a church. A deputy in the area discovered Smith squatting behind the church. Then Smith ran to a wooded area. Smith was later arrested about 4:30PM after about 90 minutes of searching by a helicopter and a K-9 Team from St.Clair County Corrections. Smith was previously arrested on domestic violence charges and has served prison time in Georgia and Alabama.