Columbia Community Breathe a Sigh of Relief: Fugitive Capture Brings Closure
Columbia, South Carolina – The manhunt for a fugitive wanted on a murder charge in Tennessee has come to a thrilling end. The fugitive, identified as Nicholas Wayne Hamlett, was apprehended at a hospital in Columbia on Sunday evening. It was around 6 PM when the Columbia Police Department confirmed that Hamlett was located and his identity was verified.
So, how did they catch this wanted man? An eagle-eyed hospital employee happened to recognize Hamlett’s face from the reports circulating about him. They quickly alerted law enforcement, leading to a rapid response from the police. Even a responding officer had a hunch and recognized Hamlett, which was confirmed by a high-tech fingerprint scanner from the University of South Carolina Police Department. Talk about teamwork!
A Web of Intrigue and Crime
Hamlett had been on the run since mid-October after things took a tragic turn in Monroe County, Tennessee. Here’s where it gets really serious. On October 18, a call came reporting a “distressed hiker” who claimed he was injured from a cliff fall while trying to escape a bear. Sounds pretty wild, right? But the plot thickened when emergency officials discovered a man’s body, which raised several alarm bells.
Authorities quickly discovered that the ID found on the deceased was stolen and had been used multiple times. The victim was tragically identified as Steven Douglas Lloyd, a 34-year-old resident of Knoxville. The Monroe County Sheriff’s Office suggested that Hamlett had befriended Lloyd, luring him into a wooded area where he ultimately lost his life – a grim turn of events that has shaken the community to its core.
A Heart-Pounding Manhunt
The hunt for Hamlett gained momentum as law enforcement agencies across multiple states joined forces. Just around Halloween, the Chapin Police Department alerted the public that they were on the lookout for Hamlett, reported to be in the Chapin area of Lexington County. Reports indicated that he might have family in the region, which added urgency to the search.
On November 1, Chapin officials noted they spotted him near 431 East Boundary Street. For over a week, local police provided updates on the search, urging residents to remain vigilant and keep an eye out. Initially, hope lingered that Hamlett might still be in town, but by November 8, authorities were convinced he had moved on. That did not stop the diligent police from keeping the public informed with cautionary advice to stay alert.
A Victory for Law Enforcement
Finally, on Sunday afternoon, the Chapin Police broke the exhilarating news: Hamlett was in custody! “The suspect in this case HAS BEEN ARRESTED,” the police proudly announced. They extended their gratitude not only to law enforcement teams who poured effort into the case but also to the community for their patience and watchfulness during the tense weeks.
As it stands, Hamlett is currently held by the U.S. Marshals Service Columbia Carolinas Regional Fugitive Task Force while arrangements are being made for his extradition back to Tennessee. He is also wanted in Alabama for a parole violation, making this a tangled web of legal troubles for him.
This arrest brings a sense of relief to many, especially in the communities impacted by Hamlett’s chaotic escape and the fear that lingered. As always in such breaking news cases, updates will continue to emerge, and many will be keeping a close eye on how the situation unfolds.
For now, Columbia can breathe a little easier, knowing that justice is on its way, and just remember to always stay aware of your surroundings!
