Marley The Bloodhound, Drone Help Nab Escapee In Iredell: Sheriff

MOORESVILLE, NC — An escaped inmate on the run from Alexander County was found in Iredell County early Friday morning, thanks in part to “Marley” the bloodhound and a drone, Sheriff Darren Campbell said Friday.

Alexander County officials asked for the Iredell County’s help in locating Jason Todd Mullen, who ran from the Alexander County Detention Center Thursday evening while taking out the trash, WSOC reported. He ran toward Catawba Valley Community College, where he stole a pickup from the parking lot. The keys were left in the ignition, according to the station.

Alexander authorities later located the stolen truck stuck in a muddy field in Hiddenite as Mullen was trying to free it. When he saw deputies approaching, he ran, WSOC said.

Alexander County deputies lost his trail and asked for help Iredell County for help, the station said.

Iredell deputies, armed with an item with Mullen’s scent, deployed Marley the bloodhound and set up a second perimeter. Marley was donated to the sheriff’s office about a year ago and has been trained to locate suspects, missing persons and children, Campbell said.

Marley located Mullen’s trail, Campbell said. “One of the Iredell County Sheriff’s Office’s drones was utilized to provide cover for the tracking deputies as they worked the trail.” Marley, alongside Iredell Deputy J. Hodges, tracked the escapee to an abandoned mobile home, where he was apprehended.

Mullen was transported to the Alexander County Law Enforcement Center, where he was charged with misdemeanor escape and felony larceny of a motor vehicle, ICSO said. His bond was set at $100,000.

WATCH: Drone footage from ICSO’s manhunt with Marley

Photos courtesy of Iredell County Sheriff’s Office