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Update: Escaped Prisoner Caught
CONROE, Texas -- UPDATE:At 7:20 this morning, CPD received a call of an escaped prisoner in the 800 block of N. Loop 336. Texas Prisoner Transport Services was transporting a group of prisoners from various locations across the country. There were two guards and 10 prisoners aboard the van when they stopped at McDonald's for food. Cedric Joseph Marks was able to escape the van and fled south of the location. A perimeter was set up and a search conducted utilizing K9 officers and law enforcement from multiple agencies. After an extensive K9 search and new video surveillance emerged, law enforcement regrouped and began a grid search from the original location. The suspect was located in the 1000 blk of Windswept in Conroe hiding in a trash can. The suspect surrendered without incident, is in custody and is being interviewed.
At this time the circumstances surrounding Marks escape are still under investigation. Once the investigation is complete the finding will be presented to the Montgomery County District Attorney’s Office.
CPD would like to thank the many LE agencies who assisted in this investigation:
Montgomery County Sheriff's Office
US Marshals and Gulf Coast Task Force
Texas DPS CID
Texas Rangers
Texas Highway patrol
ATF
Harris County Sheriff's Office
Harris County Precinct 3
Harris County Precinct 4
TDCJ K 9
Montgomery County P 2
Conroe Fire Marshal
US Customs and Border Patrol
Homeland Security Investigations
ICE
Splendora PD
This morning, at approximately 7:20 am, Conroe Police Dispatch received a call from Texas Prisoner Transport Services, advising of an escapee from their transport van. The escapee, Cedric Joseph Marks, DOB: 7-15-74, black male, was able to elude custody when the transport company stopped at McDonald’s at 801 N. Loop 336W. Marks escaped on foot in an eastern direction.
Marks was in transport from Grand Rapids Michigan after being captured by the US Marshal’s for a warrant for burglary of a habitation with intent to commit a felony. Texas Prisoner Transport Services was en route to Bell County, Tx. at the time of their stop. Marks also has warrants for the murders of Michael Swearingen, 32, and Jenna Scott, 28, in an investigation that began in Temple, Texas in January of 2019.
The Conroe Police Department and the Montgomery County SO are working in conjunction with multiple state and local agencies to apprehend the suspect. We have air support, K9 tracking dogs from TDCJ, and multiple ground units searching the area.
Our primary concern is for the safety of our community. We have sent notifications to our citizens through multiple sources including emergency notification systems, media and social media. We urge our citizens to allow LE to conduct this investigation and do not attempt to assist or search for Cedric Marks. He should be considered dangerous. If seen, do not attempt to make contact with Marks. Contact 911 immediately. As an abundance of caution, we urge those citizens in the north area of Conroe, between 105 and North Loop 336 to stay indoors and/or avoid the area.
The circumstances surrounding the escape are currently under investigation including interviews with the transport company and other inmates on the transport van.
We appreciate the assistance and understanding of the public in this fluid and serious situation. We will continue to keep our citizen updated through social media and our media partners