THOMASVILLE — A Florida man who escaped — handcuffed — from Florida deputies in September was found early Friday curled up in a television in Decatur County.

Walton County (Fla.) Sheriff’s Office officers were in Thomasville Thursday looking for Richard Alfred Blane, 45, 9538 County Highway 183 South, Ponce De Leon, Fla.

The Florida officers told Thomas County Sheriff’s Department officers Blane was believed to be in Thomas County, possibly at a Maddox Road residence.

When the fugitive did not materialize at the Thomas County residence, lawmen learned he might be in Grady County. He wasn’t.

Walton, Thomas and Grady authorities learned Blane might be in Decatur County. Officers converged at Bainbridge College and went to a residence where he might be.

“We knocked on the door, but, of course, no one answered the door. We could hear people inside,” said Lt. Tim Watkins, Thomas County Sheriff’s Department chief investigator.

Officers, including the Thomasville Police Department canine unit, surrounded the residence. Watkins suggested cutting the mobile home’s power.

“About 10 minutes later, a woman came out,” Watkins said. She told lawmen Blane was in a bedroom under a mattress.

The fugitive was not to be found in the bedroom.

“The dog kept hitting on the TV, an old floor model,” Watkins said. Meanwhile, officers looked everywhere for Blane — even in a freezer and a washing machine.

The dog kept returning to the large, old television. Then, someone noticed a screwdriver on top of the TV.

About 1:30 a.m. Friday, officers unscrewed the back of the television. “He was balled up in there,” Watkins explained, adding that Blane is 5-foot-10 to six feet tall.

Blane is being held in the Walton County Jail, Capt. Stan Sunday of the Walton County Sheriff’s Office said Friday afternoon.

He is charged with possession of methamphetamine, battery on a law enforcement officer, resisting an officer with violence, burglary, two counts of theft, escape and failure to appear.

“He was wanted for questioning in a shooting in Holmes County, Fla.,” Watkins said. “He was a suspect in it.”

Sunday said that as two deputies were putting Blane in a sheriff’s office vehicle in September, he attacked the lawmen and bolted while handcuffed.

Sunday said Thomas County and Thomasville lawmen were instrumental in the capture. “They are to be commended,” he added.

“The moral of the story is believe the dog,” Watkins said.



Senior reporter Patti Dozier can be reached at (229) 226-2400, ext. 220.