In a scene that feels straight out of a movie, an escaped inmate in Georgia managed to fool police officers using quick thinking and acting skills, slipping away before they even realized what had happened.
Authorities say the incident unfolded on a rural highway near Macon County, when officers spotted a man walking along the road in a tank top and jeans. At first glance, he appeared to be just another pedestrian, but dashcam footage would later reveal he was actually an escaped inmate from a nearby correctional facility.
When officers stopped to question him, the man — identified as Darius Coleman, 34 — calmly introduced himself as “Anthony,” claiming his car had broken down a few miles away. His confident tone and calm demeanor reportedly convinced the officers that he was just a stranded driver.
According to reports, Coleman stayed in character flawlessly, even joking with the officers and thanking them for their concern. But it was when one deputy began running a quick background check that his story started to crumble.
As dispatch radioed back saying no records matched his ID, Coleman clutched his chest, pretending to have a medical emergency. Bodycam footage shows him staggering dramatically and saying, “I can’t breathe… I need help,” prompting the officers to call for paramedics.
The moment their attention shifted, Coleman made his move — sprinting toward a nearby wooded area and vanishing from sight before backup units arrived. By the time police searched the area, he was gone.
Sheriff Marvin Ellis later confirmed that Coleman had escaped from a minimum-security prison just two hours earlier, where he had been serving a sentence for nonviolent theft charges. “He clearly had planned this,” Ellis said. “The level of composure he showed suggests he’d rehearsed it.”
The escape has since gone viral online after footage of the incident was released, with viewers both shocked and amused at how convincingly the man acted his way out of custody.
“This guy deserves an Oscar — but he’ll be getting handcuffs instead,” one social media user joked.
Another added, “Unbelievable how calm he was under pressure.”
Authorities have since launched a multi-agency manhunt to locate Coleman, warning residents not to approach him. “While he’s not considered dangerous, anyone who can manipulate officers like that should be treated with caution,” officials said.
Police are reviewing bodycam footage to determine whether protocol was properly followed during the encounter. Sources say disciplinary action may be taken if officers are found to have violated safety procedures.
Despite the embarrassing slip-up, investigators are confident they’ll track Coleman down soon. “He might’ve fooled us once,” Sheriff Ellis said, “but he can’t keep running forever.”
As of now, Coleman remains on the loose — and his daring escape continues to make headlines nationwide.
“It’s one of those stories you’d never believe,” one officer admitted. “Until you watch the video.”
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