News Summary
McArthur Deashy Mathis, an escaped inmate from Grimes County, was apprehended in north Houston after escaping from a psychiatric hospital. His escape raised public safety concerns and initiated a manhunt. Mathis, previously charged with aggravated assault and other offenses, has a history of criminal activity. Following his capture, authorities plan to enhance security measures at facilities treating inmates to prevent future escapes.
Houston, Texas – McArthur Deashy Mathis, an escaped inmate from Grimes County, was apprehended on Tuesday afternoon in north Houston. The capture took place at approximately 1:34 p.m. at a Petco store located near I-45 and West Road. The U.S. Marshal’s Gulf Coast Violent Offenders Task Force led the operation, responding to a tip-off from a member of the public who recognized Mathis and reported him through Crime Stoppers.
During the arrest, Mathis was accompanied by a woman who had also been at the same hospital where he was previously treated; however, she has not been charged with any crime. His capture follows a daring escape on May 28, when he was being treated at the Cross Creek Psychiatric and Addiction Hospital in Austin. Mathis was last spotted at the facility around 8 p.m. on that day, reportedly escaping by kicking open a back door and climbing over a six-foot fence.
Details of the Escape
The Grimes County Sheriff expressed disappointment over Mathis’s escape, voicing concerns regarding public safety after the incident. Following his escape, a manhunt was initiated, with coordination from the Grimes County Sheriff’s Office, the Austin Police Department, and the Lone Star Fugitive Task Force. The sheriff highlighted that he was not informed about Mathis’s escape until the following morning, raising significant questions about the notification process from the hospital.
Criminal Background
Mathis has a documented criminal history, having been arrested earlier on January 2 for involvement in a shooting incident in Victoria. He faces charges that include aggravated assault and unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon. Additionally, Mathis is a registered sex offender. His stay at the psychiatric hospital began on May 21, following a prior incident where another inmate had escaped from a behavioral hospital in north Harris County in March.
Reactions and Future Preventative Measures
In light of Mathis’s escape and previous incidents involving inmate escapes, the sheriff plans to seek alternative hospitals for treating inmates, intending to personally assess the security measures of potential new facilities. The hope is to prevent future incidents of this nature, ensuring a more secure environment for both inmates and the community at large.
During the manhunt for Mathis, law enforcement officials emphasized the importance of public awareness and cooperation. The sheriff encouraged community members to report any information regarding Mathis, acknowledging the critical role that media coverage played in broadening the search efforts and facilitating his eventual capture.
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HERE Resources
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Additional Resources
- ABC13 News
- Wikipedia: Escape from Custody
- CBS Austin News
- Google Search: Grimes County inmate escape
- KXXV News
- Google Scholar: Inmate escape incidents
- FOX 7 Austin News
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Prison Escapes
- Click2Houston News
- Google News: Inmate escape Texas
Author: STAFF HERE AUSTIN WRITER
The AUSTIN STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREAustinTX.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Austin, Travis County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as SXSW, Austin City Limits Music Festival, Formula 1 United States Grand Prix, and the Austin Film Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Greater Austin Chamber of Commerce and Visit Austin, plus leading businesses in technology, automotive, and retail that power the local economy such as Dell Technologies, Tesla, and Apple. As part of the broader HERE network, including HERECollegeStation.com, HEREDallas.com, HEREHouston.com, and HERESanAntonio.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Texas's dynamic landscape.
