Man arrested for escaping from police custody after being falsely accused of theft

DECATUR, Ala. (WHNT) — A man who escaped from police custody has now been re-arrested after leading officers on a chase Monday in Decatur.

According to the Decatur Police Department (DPD), officers responded to a reported theft at the SpeedZ gas station located at 1202 West Moulton Street. DPD says someone told them they were robbed by a man with a handgun who was sitting in a black car next to the store's gas pumps.

Upon arrival, officers located a vehicle matching the description of the black car. The driver of the vehicle, identified as Brandon Edwards, led officers on a pursuit while committing multiple traffic violations. He finally fled his vehicle on foot before being arrested by patrol officers.

Edwards was arrested and charged with:

• Trying to flee and escape
• Resisting arrest
• Reckless endangerment
• Multiple traffic violations.

DPD says after Edwards was transported to the Decatur Police Department for further questioning regarding the robbery investigation, Edwards escaped and left the area.

Officers then found Edwards a short time in the area of ​​Harborview Court NorthEast. Detectives were then contacted and an investigation was reopened into the matter.

After further investigation, officers determined that the theft did not occur and that a false report had been made. Edwards was also charged with third-degree escape and booked into the Morgan County Jail on $31,800 bail.

According to DPD, Edwards had several active warrants with different agencies at the time of the pursuit that are expected to be executed once bond is posted on the original charges.

Additional charges are pending and additional arrests are expected due to the falsely reported theft incident.