Russell County Escapee Arrested After Columbus Chase – CNAW 2 with Colin Scroggins

A Russell County escapee is back in jail after a chase ended in Columbus.

Ricky O’Neal Handy, 32, escaped from the Russell County Jail on July 4. Handy led law enforcement in Alabama and Georgia on a days-long manhunt.

The manhunt ended when Columbus Police located the inmate driving a vehicle reported stolen on Saturday, July 6, 2024. A pursuit was initiated and ended a short time later in the Civic Center parking lot.

The vehicle caught fire and was extinguished by Columbus Fire Department personnel. Handy was taken to a nearby hospital for treatment and booked into the Muscogee County Jail on 14 charges: seat belt law, no insurance, failure to stop at a stop sign, no state driver’s license, two counts of hit and run/leaving the scene of an accident, contempt of court, theft by receiving stolen property – motor vehicle, reckless driving, fleeing or attempting to elude a police officer, possession and use of drug-related objects, willful obstruction of a law enforcement officer, driving on a suspended or revoked license and no proof of insurance.

After being charged in Columbus, he will be taken to Russell County on separate charges.