JSO: Escaped inmate captured at plasma center

JSO: Gary Thigpen, 23, walked off while working at Jacksonville Fairgrounds

JSO old booking photo of Gary Thigpen (left) and new booking photo (right)

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – An inmate who escaped last week was captured Wednesday at a plasma donation center on the city's Northside, the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office said. 

Gary M. Thigpen was arrested after he tried to donate at the plasma center and an employee called police. 

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Police said Thigpen, 23, was reported missing just before 4:30 p.m. Thursday after he walked off while working as a trusty at the Jacksonville Fairgrounds. 

Thigpen was in custody after being sentenced to 12 months for petty theft with two previous theft convictions, according to Duval County Jail records.

Police said his change in hair color did not help hide his identity.