Oregon prison escapee caught within hours

PORTLAND, Ore., May 1 (UPI) -- A convicted sex offender was recognized and caught within hours of escaping a Portland, Ore., prison Wednesday.

Matthew Joseph Medlin, 30, escaped the Columbia River Correctional Institute in Northeast Portland at 12:37 p.m. and by about 10 p.m. he was back in custody.

A corrections officer noticed and attempted to apprehend Medlin at a fast-food restaurant, but the subject was initially not cooperative.

Once Medlin noticed other officers and a K-9 unit on the scene, he complied with orders.

Medlin was treated for injuries he sustained while climbing over the razor fence at the prison, and was taken to the county jail awaiting new charges.

Medlin was due to be released from prison Tuesday after serving time for burglary, sex abuse and assault convictions.

Police weren't sure why he attempted an escape so close to his legal release date.