CAPTURED! Escaped Prisoner Who Assaulted Police Officers Apprehended in Palm Bay After Multi-Agency Manhunt

Police Officers located Jerry inside a Palm Bay residence, where he was attempting to hide

BREVARD COUNTY • MELBOURNE, FLORIDA – Authorities have captured Eric Jordan Jerry, 24, of Melbourne, who escaped police custody earlier this week after allegedly assaulting officers during a transport to jail, according to a Thursday evening update from the Melbourne Police Department.

Police said Jerry was taken into custody without incident inside a home in northwest Palm Bay shortly after 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 12. The arrest followed a coordinated, multi-agency search that began late Wednesday night after Jerry fled from officers.

Melbourne police said members of the department’s Intelligence Unit, working in coordination with the Brevard County Sheriff’s Office Fugitive Unit, developed information that Jerry was hiding at a Palm Bay residence.

Investigators contacted the homeowner, who consented to a search of the property. Officers located Jerry inside the residence, where he was allegedly attempting to conceal himself, and he was taken into custody by the entry team without further incident.

The arrest ends an extensive search that began early Thursday morning after Jerry escaped police custody during a transport to the Brevard County Jail.

According to Melbourne Police Commander Shawn Eising, officers initially contacted Jerry on Tuesday, Feb. 11, regarding an outstanding arrest warrant. Jerry was taken into custody without incident and placed in a patrol vehicle for transport.

During the drive, Jerry complained of a medical issue. As a precaution, officers diverted to Orlando Health, located at 250 N. Wickham Road in Melbourne.

Commander Eising said that when officers attempted to remove Jerry from the vehicle at the hospital, he battered two officers, somehow managed to remove his handcuffs, and fled on foot. No officers were reported to have suffered serious injuries.

Following the escape, officers pursued Jerry into a wooded area south of the hospital. An extensive overnight search was launched involving multiple Brevard County law enforcement agencies, K-9 units, drone teams, and the Sheriff’s Office aviation unit. Despite hours of searching, authorities were initially unable to locate him.

As a result of the incident and subsequent escape, police said Jerry now faces additional felony charges, including Escape, Battery on a Law Enforcement Officer, Resisting with Violence, and Resisting without Violence.

Jerry, a Melbourne resident, was previously described by police as a Black male, born April 10, 2001, approximately 6 feet tall and weighing about 160 pounds.

Authorities have not yet released information on where Jerry is being held or when he is expected to make his first court appearance.

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