Escaped teen murder suspect captured in Atlantic City, New Jersey

ByKatherine Scott WPVI logo

Thursday, November 16, 2017

Escaped teen murder suspect captured in Atlantic City. John Rawlins reports during Action News at 4pm on November 16, 2017.

EGG HARBOR CITY, N.J. (WPVI) -- The teenage murder suspect who escaped custody early Wednesday morning in New Jersey has been captured in Atlantic City.

Michael Huggins, 18, was one of four teens who escaped from the Harborfields Youth Detention Facility in Egg Harbor City.

The Atlantic County Sheriff's Office, the New Jersey State Police Fugitive Task Force, and the U.S. Marshals apprehended Huggins around 10 a.m. in the 100 block of N. South Carolina Avenue.

Huggins was taken into custody without incident, authorities say, though he was found to have a handgun in his possession. It was not known how he came into possession of that gun.

Prosecutor Damon Tyner said those who opened the door for Huggins at the home where he was found have been cooperative with law enforcement and no charges have been filed against them.

Chopper 6 video: Scene where NJ escapee captured on November 16, 2017.

The other three escapees were captured in Bridgeton, New Jersey, which is more than 35 miles away from the facility, on Wednesday.

Huggins had been in custody since October 2016 when he was charged with the murder of DeVante Lee in Bridgeton.

Chopper 6 Video: Search for escaped murder suspect in Bridgeton, New Jersey on November 15, 2017.

According to officials, the teenagers overtook the correctional officers and stole the keys to one of their personal vehicles. One of the officers was injured and taken to the hospital. The officer is expected to be OK.

Surveillance video, first seen on 6abc Action News, shows the teenagers leading police on a chase through Egg Harbor City before fleeing on foot.

First on 6abc: Surveillance of stolen car in teens escape. Jeannette Reyes reports during Action News at 6:30 a.m. on November 15, 2017.

Police gave chase until the four teenagers lost control of the correctional officer's vehicle and crashed into a house on the 900 block of Beuger Street. They then fled the scene.

Surveillance video from the neighborhood shows the speeding car heading down the street and hitting a Jeep. The car continues and then crashes into the home.

A patrol car can be seen following the speeding car.

The video then shows what appears to be the teenagers running off from the scene.

Authorities have not yet said whether Wednesday's ambush and escape took place inside the detention center's secure area, or how the four managed to beat security measures there.

The prosecutor saying the issue is being investigated.