A routine stop at Buc-ee’s turned into a major fugitive bust when law enforcement caught an escaped Alabama inmate over 600 miles from where he originally fled.

Melissa Police confirmed that Pierson McKinnley Anthony, 25, was taken into custody after a license plate reader (LPR) camera flagged a vehicle linked to his escape from Marion County, Alabama.

Just before 5 p.m. on Sunday, Jan. 26, officers got an alert that Anthony’s vehicle had been spotted near the Buc-ee’s in Anna, Texas. When police arrived, Anthony was already pulling out of the parking lot. That’s when officers moved in and conducted a high-risk felony traffic stop.

Anthony surrendered without a fight, and officials say the driver of the vehicle was also wanted on a felony warrant for helping him escape. Both were arrested on the spot.

Officials haven’t said much about why Anthony was originally locked up, but he’s now facing another third-degree felony charge on top of his existing charges. He and the driver are being held in Collin County Jail while waiting to be sent back to Alabama.

Melissa, Texas, is more than 600 miles away from where Anthony first escaped. It’s unclear how long he had been on the run, but law enforcement credits license plate recognition technology for helping track him down.

LPR cameras like the one used in this case scan passing vehicles and flag plates that match stolen cars wanted fugitives, and other alerts. Many Texas cities, including Melissa and Anna, use this technology to help police track down suspects faster.

Officials are expected to release more details soon, including what Anthony was originally charged with and how he escaped. 

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