Prison Escapee Caught After Knocking on Guard's Door

An escaped convict was caught following a day on the loose after he knocked on a cabin door—only to find out the man renting the lodge was an off-duty guard at the prison he just fled. James Edward Russell took off from the Washington state penitentiary Tuesday morning. Early the next day, the 39-year-old—still wearing his prison uniform—went to the cabin asking to use the phone, say authorities.

After a scuffle, Russell ran off again. The guard, whose name was being withheld by authorities, reported the incident and Russell was caught a few hours later. He had been serving time for forgery and theft. (More strange stuff stories.)