Otwell

The Lauderdale County Sheriff’s Department re-captured Matthew Casey Otwell early Friday morning after he escaped from a patrol car Thursday.

Deputies arrested Otwell, 30, around noon Thursday in the 12700 block of Newton County Martin Road in Meridian for an outstanding felony warrant for grand larceny issued in May. He fled their car a short time later while deputies continued to work at the scene.

After his escape, the sheriff’s department asked for the public’s help in finding Otwell.

By 4:30 a.m., deputies had received a tip that Otwell had returned to the same house where he had been arrested on Thursday, Chief Deputy Ward Calhoun said.

Deputies took Otwell and Ashley Abdulmogni, 37, of Newton Martin Road, Meridian into custody early Friday morning, Calhoun said.

Abdulmogni was charged with aiding and harboring a known criminal, according to the sheriff’s department.

Though the investigation into Otwell’s escape is incomplete, Calhoun said they believed the window lock had not been enabled, giving Otwell an opportunity to roll down the window, open the door and escape.

A window lock would normally be enabled, Calhoun said.

Calhoun thanked community members who helped the department.

“It was because of a tip he was apprehended this morning,” Calhoun said. “We want to thank the community for their help in recapturing Otwell.”

Deputies charged Otwell with felony escape and three counts of uttering and forgery in addition to his previous grand larceny charge. Bond for Otwell’s grand larceny charge has been set at $10,000 and Otwell’s felony escape charge at $20,000. Bond has not yet been set for the three counts of uttering and forgery.

Abdulmogni faces one count of uttering and forgery, with a bond of $750, and one count of felony escape, concealing and harboring a known criminal with bond set at $10,000.

Both Otwell and Abdulmogni remained in custody Friday afternoon.