Devin James Champagne, the fugitive who overpowered a sheriff's deputy to escape near Jessup on Aug. 13, was found hiding in a false panel in a house near Richmond, Va., late Thursday night, ending an intense week-long manhunt that involved law-enforcement officials from both states.

Champagne, 20, of the 7500 block of Montevideo Court, in Jessup, was in the house in Chesterfield County, Va., with his brother, Bryan, 19, a 90-year-old woman, her 30-year-old granddaughter, and the granddaughter's three small children, Fitzgerald said. Their relationship to the Champagne brothers was not immediately known, nor was it known who owned the house.

Bryan Champagne, who lives in Maryland, initially told U.S. Marshals that he was Devin, but after questioning, they determined he was not the man they sought, Fitzgerald said.

The U.S. Marshals tactical team, which had about 18 members, cleared the house and searched it three times before noticing something odd about the wall and finding Devin Champagne hiding in the false panel, Fitzgerald said. Champagne put up a brief struggle but was quickly subdued, Fitzgerald said. He was being held Friday at the Chesterfield County Jail, where he had a pre-trial hearing in a local court, Fitzgerald said. Bryan Champagne had not been charged as of Friday afternoon, Fitzgerald said.

The U.S. Marshal’s tactical team had performed surveillance of the house for several hours before going in, Fitzgerald said. The arrest came after local law enforcement had developed leads that they passed on to the  U.S. Marshals, Fitzgerald said. The U.S. Marshals  then developed leads that led them to the house, according to Fitzgerald.

If Devin Champagne waives extradition procedures, Fitzgerald expects him back in the Howard County Detention Center within a week. If he fights extradition procedures, a governor’s warrant may have to be obtained from Gov. Martin O’Malley and the process may take a little longer, Fitzgerald said.

Champagne escaped at about 11:30 p.m. Aug. 13 after being convicted in Howard County Circuit Court of felony theft, according to officials. He was being transported to the Howard County Detention Center by sheriff's deputy Don Chase, 64.

Champagne, who was in the back seat, was able to transfer his handcuffs from behind his back to the front of his body, choked Chase, who lost consciousness, and tried unsuccessfully to take Chase’s firearm, according to sheriff’s officials. Champagne then fled in the area of Route 175 and Pocomoke Drive.

After about 48 hours of investigation, Maryland police agencies determined that Champagne was not among a network of family and associates in Maryland and began coordinating with the U.S. Marshals, Fitzgerald said. He said he believed that Champagne had his leg irons and shackles on for about two days after the escape, he said.

Sheriff spokesman Deputy Mark Verderaime said officials received only a handful of tips and a lot of false leads in the case initially. No reward is expected to be issued, he said.

Fitzgerald also said that his department would be conducting a review of policy and procedures as a result of the escape. He said the sheriff’s office transported thousands of prisoners a year without incident and did not believe, preliminarily, that there were any policy failures that led to the escape.

“This man was just desperate,” Fitzgerald said. He also said that Champagne’s family members had generally been cooperative and were “shocked at the propensity for violence of their child.”

Chase was taken to Howard County General Hospital, where he was listed in stable condition. He was later transferred to Johns Hopkins Hospital for further observation and was released from Hopkins Wednesday, a hospital spokesman said.

After the escape, police searched the area with K-9 dogs and a helicopter. The search resumed the following day after the sheriff’s office received a tip from Champagne’s family at 7:45 a.m. that Champagne had visited home briefly. Family members cited concern for his welfare and safety, sheriff’s officials said.

Champagne faces charges of attempted first- and second-degree murder, first- and second-degree assault, assault of a law enforcement officer, escape and reckless endangerment, officials said.

The county sheriff’s office was assisted in the search by Howard County  and state police, the U.S. Marshals Service, and police from Montgomery, Baltimore and Anne Arundel counties.

A week at large

Aug. 13: Devin Champagne is convicted of theft in a Howard County courtroom. He escapes shortly afterward while being transported to the Howard County Detention Center by Sheriff's Deputy Don Chase, 64. Champagne strangles Chase and flees to the area of Route 175 and Pocomoke Drive. A large-scale manhunt begins.

Aug. 14: Champagne reportedly visits his mother's home in the 7500 block of Montevideo Court, in Jessup. Family members tell police they are concerned for Champagne's safety.

Aug. 15: Champagne is believed to have finally broken free from his leg irons and shackles. Howard County investigators call in the U.S. Marshals to help with the search.

Aug. 16: Sheriff's deputies report having received few tips from members of the public who have seen Champagne.

Between Aug. 17 and Aug. 19: The massive manhunt continues, involving Howard County and state police, the U.S. Marshals Service and police from Montgomery, Baltimore and Anne Arundel counties. Local investigators develop leads that are passed on the U.S. Marshals. Federal investigators develop leads that will eventually lead them to Champagne.

Aug. 20: Champagne is arrested in Chesterfield County, Va. A tactical team of federal agents finds him hiding inside a wall at a house in which his brother is also staying. He awaits extradition back to Maryland.

This story has been updated.

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