LiveNOW from FOX anchor Shawna Khalafi first treated this story like an alarm bell: three inmates were missing from the DeKalb County Jail, and the search was turning into a race against the clock.
Now, there’s a major update.
In a FOX 5 Atlanta update written by Joyce Lupiani and Rob DiRienzo, officials say all three escapees are back in custody, with news of the capture released shortly after midnight Tuesday, December 23, 2025.
That means the situation went from “manhunt expanding” to “fugitives captured” in under a day – fast by jailbreak standards, even if the public still has big questions.
Update: All Three Escapees Back In Custody
According to Lupiani and DiRienzo at FOX 5 Atlanta, all three inmates have been returned to custody, after authorities warned the public they could be armed and dangerous.
The capture news dropped just after midnight on Tuesday, but officials have not said exactly where the men were found, who made the arrests, or what led investigators to them.
And the most frustrating piece remains: investigators still haven’t explained how long the inmates were missing before anyone realized, or how they got out in the first place.
FOX 5 Atlanta says a press conference is scheduled for 11 a.m. Tuesday, December 23, where authorities are expected to release more details.
How The Escape Was Discovered During A Routine Check
In Khalafi’s LiveNOW coverage, FOX 5 Atlanta reporter Rob DiRienzo described the situation as “critical,” even though the area around the jail looked “business as usual.”
Both DiRienzo and Atlanta News First reporter Mary Kate Hamilton said the escape was discovered during a routine security check when deputies realized three inmates were missing from their cells.
Lupiani and DiRienzo’s FOX 5 Atlanta update repeats that same core detail: the trio was discovered missing during a routine check “yesterday,” before the capture update came out after midnight.
But none of the reporting – LiveNOW from FOX, Atlanta News First, or FOX 5 Atlanta’s written update – includes an official timeline explaining how big the gap was between “they escaped” and “we noticed.”
That gap matters, because minutes turn into miles in stories like this.
And when officials can’t immediately say how the escape happened, it forces everyone to assume more possibilities, not fewer.
Who Escaped And Why Authorities Sounded The Alarm
DiRienzo identified the escapees as Stevenson Charles, 24; Yusuf Minor, 31; and Naod Yohannes, 25.
He reported Charles was charged with murder and armed robbery, with the other two facing serious charges that include armed robbery, assault, arson, and unlawful acts of violence in a penal institution.
Hamilton laid out the same trio and repeatedly warned viewers that all three were considered dangerous and possibly armed.
The FOX 5 Atlanta written update by Lupiani and DiRienzo adds a detail that sharpens the danger label: the U.S. Marshals considered Stevenson Charles “extremely dangerous,” and said he had been serving a life sentence.
In their reporting, Marshals tied Charles to a long list of violent crimes, including charges or convictions for murder, aggravated assault, weapons violations, kidnapping, carjacking, armed robbery, probation violations, and other crimes.
Hamilton, in her Atlanta News First reporting, also described Charles as having a violent history that stretched beyond Georgia, and she framed those background details as part of why the public warnings were so strong.
She also described Yusuf Minor’s background as including a murder conviction connected to a fatal shooting, underscoring why this wasn’t being treated as a low-level escape.
And she described Naod Yohannes as being held on simple assault, arson, and unlawful acts of violence in a penal institution, which still fits the picture of someone authorities don’t want roaming free.
“Every Minute That Passes” – And The Window Authorities Feared
DiRienzo quoted Atlanta-based criminal defense attorney Joshua Schiffer, who said, “Every minute that passes after their escape decreases the likelihood of them getting caught.”
Schiffer’s point wasn’t emotional. It was practical.
DiRienzo also relayed Schiffer’s skepticism that three inmates could walk down a major road in jail clothes for very long without getting picked up, helped, or changing appearance—raising what Schiffer called “big questions” about the minutes right after the escape.
The FOX 5 Atlanta story by Lupiani and DiRienzo included another key time detail from the U.S. Marshals: investigators believed the three men may have escaped the evening of December 21 or early the morning of December 22.
That window matters because it suggests the escape might have happened well before the routine check that triggered the discovery.
In other words, the fear wasn’t just “they’re out.” The fear was “they might already be gone.”
Yet even with all that concern, officials announced they were back in custody shortly after midnight Tuesday – suggesting the search tightened quickly, even if the public hasn’t been told how.
Marshals Joined The Hunt, And The Public Was Told To Back Off
DiRienzo reported that U.S. Marshals joined the manhunt, and he emphasized the public message: do not approach, call 911, and let law enforcement handle it.
Hamilton reported the same warning, stressing the fugitives could be armed and dangerous.
DiRienzo also relayed the hard-edged statement from Thomas E. Brown, the U.S. Marshal for the Northern District of Georgia, who aimed his message directly at fugitives.
Brown said, “We are looking for and we will find you… You will never find peace… You will answer for your crimes.”
That kind of language isn’t routine. It’s meant to close the psychological door on the idea that running will be comfortable or sustainable.
And it also sends a signal to the public that authorities believed there was real risk here – not just to the jail’s reputation, but to the community outside it.
The Mystery Of How They Got Out Has Not Gone Away
Even though the fugitives are back in custody, the unanswered questions are still the center of gravity.
DiRienzo reported that investigators had pointed to multiple holes in jail windows, including a large opening on an upper floor, while also noting officials had not confirmed an exact route or method.
Hamilton’s report referenced radio-style chatter suggesting officers were trying to control the perimeter and figure out what was happening in real time.
The FOX 5 Atlanta update by Lupiani and DiRienzo is blunt about what is still unknown: officials still have not explained how the inmates escaped, how long they were missing, or how the capture happened.
That silence is exactly why this story won’t end just because the inmates are caught.
Capturing fugitives fixes the immediate danger. It doesn’t fix the system failure that let them leave.
Fear And The Human Reaction Near The Jail
DiRienzo included community reaction near the jail, and it sounded like the normal kind of unease that spreads fast when people hear “escape” and “armed.”
He quoted resident Danny Brown, who said, “If three can escape there, who knows who else could escape.”
Brown also told DiRienzo he jogs around the area and felt “kind of” nervous, because it’s hard to shake the thought that something could happen to an ordinary person who just happens to be nearby.
He said he didn’t plan to stop his routine entirely, but he would be more cautious—mentioning he might carry something with him now.
That’s the ripple effect of a jailbreak. It changes how people move, what they fear, and what they think they need to do to stay safe.
What Happens Next: The Arrests Are Done, The Accountability Isn’t
Sheriff Melody M. Maddox was quoted saying the sheriff’s office takes the breach seriously and is working to ensure the inmates are returned to custody as quickly as possible.
Now, according to Lupiani and DiRienzo’s FOX 5 Atlanta update, that “returned to custody” goal has been achieved.
But the second track of the story is still wide open.
How did three inmates – one described by the U.S. Marshals as “extremely dangerous” and serving a life sentence – manage to get out of the DeKalb County Jail during a holiday week?
And how long were they actually missing before anyone noticed?
With a press conference scheduled for 11 a.m. Tuesday, December 23, the public will be watching for something simple but necessary: a clear timeline, a clear explanation, and a clear plan to prevent it from happening again.
Ed spent his childhood in the backwoods of Maine, where harsh winters taught him the value of survival skills. With a background in bushcraft and off-grid living, Ed has honed his expertise in fire-making, hunting, and wild foraging. He writes from personal experience, sharing practical tips and hands-on techniques to thrive in any outdoor environment. Whether it’s primitive camping or full-scale survival, Ed’s advice is grounded in real-life challenges.
