Cross-Dressing Escapee Recaptured

POSTED: 10:11 am EDT March 21, 2008
UPDATED: 11:01 am EDT March 21, 2008


HOLT, Fla. -- A Georgia identity theft suspect used a bathroom break to escape police.

Police said Eugene Smith, 33, pepper-sprayed a Georgia sheriff's deputy when the two stopped in Holt, Florida. Smith then jumped into the driver's seat of the deputy's car and took off. The deputy fired a shot that hit the police car's window but Smith was not injured and escaped.

People in the area hoped Smith was out of the area but were prepared just in case. "I have a shotgun at home. I'm not worried. I mean, I wouldn't use it unless I had to, you know, that's just a natural precaution. I have to defend myself," said local resident Patricia Kemp.

Smith was wanted in Georgia for identity theft and fraud.

Smith was recaptured while hitchhiking Thursday morning and he was dressed like a woman. He is headed back to Crisp County, Ga.

Now, in addition to the identity theft charge, he's been charged with escape, battery, and grand theft auto.