An Andalusia man, who escaped from the sallyport at the Covington County Jail in 2008, is charged with a new escape after fleeing, in handcuffs, from police custody Tue-sday.

Drug Task Force agent Roger Cender said while traveling on River Falls Street around 9 p.m., Rodney D. Hall, 26, was stopped for a traffic violation by Andalusia Police Officer Scott Watkins.

“When officer Watkins approached the car, he noticed the odor of marijuana and called for assistance from officer Nic Ireland and his K-9 partner Zico,” Cender said. “When Zico ‘alerted’ positive on the vehicle, Hall got out and was put into handcuffs.

“When they went to put him into the police car, he pushed off from one of the officers and fled down River Falls Street to Smith Street and then into the woods,” Cender said.

Cender said when Ireland called out to Hall, stating he was “going to release the dog,” Hall gave himself up and was taken into custody.

Cender said after several small amounts of marijuana were located in Hall’s vehicle, he was taken into custody and charged with possession of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia and third-degree escape.

“This isn’t the first time he’s run,” Cender said of Hall’s alleged flight. “(Hall’s) got an extensive criminal record – something like 12 felonies.”

According to The Star-News archives, Hall’s 13 minutes of freedom in 2008 garnered him his first escape charge.

That November, Hall, who was handcuffed then as well, fled from the fenced area at the jail where prisoners are unloaded after being arrested for grand jury indictment for two counts of unlawful distribution of a controlled substance and violation of probation.

At the time of Tuesday’s incident, Hall was again out on probation. It has since been revoked, and Hall currently remains in the county jail without bond.

-Stephanie Nelson