Karnes City resident Jason Cruz (22) escaped from the Karnes County Jail Friday morning and a nine-hour-long manhunt and search of the Karnes City area ended with him back in custody that afternoon.

Cruz was pulled out of an attic on Esplanade Street some time around 4:45 p.m. He was handcuffed and escorted back to the Karnes County jail. He submitted to arrest without a fight.

In a city filled with friends and relatives, he found refuge at the home of a friend after being turned away by an uncle earlier in the day. Police were tipped off to his location by an anonymous phone call minutes before the arrest.

Runge’s athletic director will be leaving the school district at the end of the school year, according to a resignation he submitted February 5.

There are no hard feelings; Athletic Director Darryl Smithey simply wants to pursue other opportunities closer to his home in Seguin, according to Runge ISD Superintendent Ernest Havner.

"He lives in Seguin and he has two little girls. It’s just basically the wear and tear on the driving and he wants to get closer to his family," Havner said. "He wanted to take the opportunity to explore (coaching) positions that are in the area."

Smithey, a coach with four years of history at Runge ISD, has been the athletic director for two years. He was one of the major decision makers in moving the school to a non-sanctioned independent football program and has led the Yellow Jacket basketball team to the playoffs three years in a row.