It took just over six weeks, over 3,000 miles and three separate states but Natchitoches Parish Sheriff’s Deputies now have all three escaped Natchitoches Parish Detention Center DOC inmates in custody according to Natchitoches Parish Sheriff Victor Jones.

According to Natchitoches Parish Asst. Chief of Corrections Roger Henson, Walshea Mitchell, 35, was captured this morning, Oct. 12, over 200 miles away by members of the US Marshal Service Fugitive Apprehension Unit in Idabel, Okla.

Mitchell, serving DOC time until 2035 for Armed Robbery with a Weapon and Attempted Armed Robbery, was captured as the result of a tip.

Willie E. Ethridge, 34, was captured near Portland, Ore. while Michael Elliot, 24, was captured near Georgetown, Colo.

The manhunt for the three escapees began Aug. 27 when they escaped from the Natchitoches Parish Detention Center. They apparently disguised their bunks, breached a security door and scaled razor-wire fencing.

US Marshal’s and Natchitoches Parish Sheriff’s Deputies are expected to bring Mitchell back to an undisclosed Louisiana correctional facility at a later date.

Mitchell is facing additional charges of Simple Escape, and any other offenses that he may have committed while on the run.