On Tuesday, April 15th, 2025, at 1:30 p.m., Kentucky state police were notified that a missing inmate had been reported. The Harlan Detention Center work release program had an inmate walk away from the work crew in the Molus community on Highway 119 in Harlan County.

The escaped inmate was identified as Robert Taylor who is a 46-year-old white man who is 6 feet tall and 185 lbs and was last seen wearing a white and orange striped detention center pants and a white shirt. Robert Taylor  is from Richmond Kentucky and also has ties to Barbourville Kentucky, which prompted a larger area to search. Robert taylors crimes were theft and criminal mischief which made it believed that he was not dangerous.

Kentucky state police had launched an active investigation and search effort. Trooper Brandon Burton is leading the case with assistance from the Harlan County Sheriff’s Department and Harlan County Emergency Management. It was not believed that Robert would be violent due to his charges but police were still searching for him.

Robert Taylor was taken into custody at 8:45 p.m. Tuesday night. Two eyewitnesses saw him along Highway 119 near Howard’s Grocery in Bell County, He was arrested after a short foot chase by the Kentucky state police officers. Robert will now have an additional 5 years added to his sentence due to the escape.

State trooper Shane Jacobs posted this on his social media Tuesday night ‘“We are pleased to report that Mr. Taylor has been located and apprehended. He has been returned to custody. We greatly appreciate the public’s assistance in helping the Kentucky State Police (KSP) locate him. Thank you for your support!”’

Everyone was pleased that it was reported that Robert Taylor had been located and apprehended. He was then returned to police custody and the Kentucky State Police thanked the public and community for helping them locate him.