Escapee captured ‘hiding in a crawl space.’

Shayne Smith

Escapee captured ‘hiding in a crawl space.’

By Allison Scarbrough, Editor.

#OceanaCountyCrime

SHELBY — The nearly 24-hour search for a man who escaped police custody at the hospital Sunday night, Aug. 26, is over.

“He was hiding in a crawl space in a house in Hesperia on Hoskins Street on the Newaygo County side,” said Oceana County Sheriff Craig Mast.

Shayne Chris Smith, 30, of Hesperia escaped police custody at Mercy Health Lakeshore Campus after being arrested by the Hesperia Police Department and sought medical treatment en route to the jail, complaining of arm/shoulder pain, Mast said.

Multiple police agencies sought Smith. During his apprehension, the sheriff’s office received assistance from the Hesperia Police Department, Michigan State Police and the Department of Natural Resources, Mast said.

Smith was taken into custody Monday, Aug. 27, at approximately 8:30 p.m., according to Lt. Shane Hasty of the Oceana County Sheriff’s Office.

“He was located in the crawl space/cellar of a residence located on Hoskins Street in Hesperia, which was information provided by an anonymous tip,” Hasty said. “Once located, he was taken into custody without incident and was transported to the Oceana County Jail.

“Thank you to all who called in with information which assisted with the apprehension of this person,” Hasty said. “We rely on our community contacts for successful and safe outcomes, such as this. Smith was lodged on the original warrants and will be arraigned on additional charges. The names and address of the persons at the Hoskins Street residence have not been released as charges may be pending.”

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