Pompano Beach

Authorities Arrest Two Tennessee Escaped Inmates in Pompano Beach

After several hours, authorities were able to locate and apprehend the two men Sunday

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Two fugitives who escaped from a Tennessee correctional complex were arrested by authorities in Pompano Beach Sunday evening.

According to Broward Sheriff's Office, at around 10:45 Sunday morning, deputies in Pompano Beach were alerted of a vehicle that held the two fugitives.

After several hours, authorities were able to locate the two men at the 600 block of North Ocean Drive. Police say when they attempted to make contact, both men fled on foot.

One of the fugitives, 36-year-old Robert Brown, was apprehended by officers. The second fugitive, 34-year-old Christopher Osteen, was apprehended just an hour later.

(Left to Right): Robert Brown, Christopher Osteen
Broward Sheriff's Office
(Left to Right): Robert Brown, Christopher Osteen

The search for Osteen caused BSO deputies and S.W.A.T. teams to canvass Pompano Beach along with U.S. Marshals.

At the time, police asked residents in the area to stay inside, lock their doors and call authorities if they came into contact with Osteen or witnessed anything suspicious.

Brown is serving an 18-year sentence for aggravated rape and Osteen is serving an eight-year sentence for burglary, authorities said. They face additional charges stemming from their escape from the minimum security annex of the prison in Tiptonville, Tennessee, authorities said.

Tiptonville is about 1,070 miles northwest of Pompano Beach.

After escaping Friday morning, Brown and Osteen kidnapped an employee of the highway department in Fulton County, Kentucky, from a boat ramp on the Mississippi River, the sheriff's office in Henry County, Tennessee, reported on its Facebook page.

The employee and his department truck were later found in Henry County, the sheriff's office said.

Early Saturday, deputies found a Henry County resident who had been tied up in his home by the escapees. The sheriff's office said the pair stole the resident's red 2009 Chevrolet Silverado extended cab pickup truck, which was found Sunday in Florida.

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