March 22, 2025 6:40 a.m.

An inmate at the Douglas County Jail escaped following a courtroom hearing Friday afternoon but was captured a short time later after a large-scale police search.

Undersheriff Brad O’Dell of the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office said at approximately 2:00 p.m. 24-year-old Alexander Matthew Pearson of Reedsport, who was in custody on a probation violation, had been transported from the jail to appear in court for a hearing. O’Dell said at the conclusion of the hearing, Pearson ran from the courtroom. One deputy was able to grab ahold of Pearson before he pulled away and continued his escape out of the courthouse.

O’Dell said deputies gave chase and received information from the public that Pearson had run toward a homeless camping area referred to as “The Point”. That’s located along the South Umpqua River, just west of Northeast Stephens Street, near Northeast Diamond Lake Boulevard. Multiple deputies from both the patrol and corrections divisions, along with officers from the Roseburg Police Department and staff from Douglas County Parole and Probation, converged on the area and began searching.

O’Dell said after approximately 20 minutes, Pearson was found hiding under a blanket in a tent. He was taken into custody without further incident. Pearson now faces additional charges of second-degree escape and resisting arrest. He is detained without bail.