JAIL ESCAPEE CAUGHT

ULLIN, Ill. -- Pedro Hernandez didn't get far during his 18 hours of freedom.

Hernandez, 40, escaped from the Tri-County Detention Center near here Tuesday night, but was captured within a mile of the private jail facility Wednesday afternoon.

Hernandez surrendered to Illinois State Police and Pulaski County Sheriff's authorities with no struggle.

He was found about a mile due east of the detention center about 2:30 p.m. Wednesday, 18 hours after escaping from the center about 8:30 p.m. Tuesday.

A farmer Wednesday morning found a radio in his barn. He called authorities. Authorities theorized that Hernandez spent the night in the barn.

Hernandez, a Cuban, was being detained at the prison for immigration authorities, for being in the country illegally, said Michael Kleinik, jail administrator of the private prison, located near the Ullin Intersection and Interstate 55.