Md. Escapee Taken Into Custody

HACKENSACK, N.J. (AP) -- A Maryland prison escapee who had held authorities at bay for several hours Thursday at a New Jersey apartment building has been taken into custody.

Deputy U.S. Marshal Mike Schroeder said Trevon Johnson, 21, surrendered without incident around 7:20 p.m., nearly four hours after the standoff began in Hackensack.

No injuries were reported.

Officials say that when marshals went to the three-story building and knocked on an apartment door, someone inside fired three to four shots.

The marshals, who did not return fire, quickly withdrew and established a secure perimeter.

Several nearby homes and buildings were soon evacuated as several local and state law enforcement authorities responded to the scene.

Schroeder said Johnson would be held at the Bergen County Jail, pending extradition proceedings.

Officials say Johnson had escaped from a jail in Wicomico County, Maryland, where he was being held on drug possession and violation of parole charges. According to published reports, he assumed the identity of another inmate with a similar name -- who was scheduled to be released -- and walked out of the jail in August.

During the standoff, local officials had said it appeared that a second person was in the apartment with Johnson. But authorities say that turned out not to be the case.

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