PA Prison Escapee Captured At Philadelphia Fitness Center: US Marshals

PHILADELPHIA — The Western Pennsylvania prison inmate who escaped custody December 2023 had been captured in Philadelphia.

Isaiah Tilghman, 33, of Philadelphia, was taken into custody Friday in Philadelphia, according to the U.S. Marshals Service.

According to authorities, investigators learned Tilghman was in the Kensington section of Philadelphia.

On Wednesday, surveillance operations were established at residences Tilghman was believed to be hiding.

At 10 a.m. Friday, Marshals saw Tilghman on the 1800 block of East Schiller Street.

They followed Tilghman as he drove a black BMW the Planet Fitness at 3300 Aramingo Ave.

There, the task force then asked for Philadelphia Police and Philadelphia K9 officers to assist in the arrest operation.

At about 11 a.m., Tilghman left the gym and was immediately surrounded by more than 20 investigators and placed under arrest without incident.

Tilghman was taken to an undisclosed correctional facility, where he awaits transport to Blair County to appear for his escape charges.

Police in Blair County said Tilghman escaped a prison there on Sunday, Dec. 2, 2023.

Tilghman was being held for trial on charges of drug possession, tampering with records, fleeing to avoid apprehension, and more crimes.

On Dec. 6, federal authorities said Tilghman may have made his way back to Philadelphia, and about a week later the truck he used to escape Blair County was found in Philadelphia.