Conroe Police Apprehend Escaped Inmate

CONROE, TX -- On March 24, 2020, at approximately 6:18 PM, The Conroe Police Department was dispatched to the Montgomery County Mental Health Treatment Facility, located at 700 Hilbig Road in Conroe, Texas, for the report of an escapee. The secure facility, which houses inmates charged in criminal offenses, is privately managed. Inmates at this facility are temporarily held while awaiting a mental health evaluation by a company known as Wellpath (WellpathCare.com).

On this date, an inmate by the name of Royce Ikenna Amaonwu (21 yoa) was able to elude facility staff and escape their custody. Conroe PD arrived on scene and learned that Amaonwu was being held on an aggravated assault with a deadly weapon charge out of Fenton County Texas. A perimeter was immediately set and Officers began searching for the suspect. The Texas Department of Public Safety was contacted and responded with their helicopter to aid in the search. Surrounding agencies, including the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office and Pct. 2 Constables offices, assisted with the search. AT about 8:55 PM the suspect was located at a convenience store near FM 1484 and Willis Waukengan Road. The Sheriff’s Office had responded to an unrelated call and the Deputy was able to recognize the suspect from the BOLO sent out earlier from Conroe PD. Amanonwu was taken into custody without incident. Conroe PD then took custody of the suspect and transported him to the Montgomery County Jail where he was booked for an escape charge, a 3rd degree felony. A TDCJ K-9 team was also en route to the scene when the suspect was taken back into custody. Questions related to the facility can be referred to Judy Lilley (jqlilley@wellpath.us). The escape incident is being investigated by the Conroe Police Department.