A brief but dramatic manhunt unfolded in Tarrant County Tuesday when an inmate bolted from a transport van, leading authorities on a two-hour chase before being recaptured in his underwear at a nearby trailer park.
Carlos Rodriguez Romero, 27, escaped around 11:45 a.m. while being transported from downtown Fort Worth to a court appearance near the 4600 block of Mark IV Parkway, according to sheriff’s officials. The inmate was back in custody by 1 p.m. after being found at a trailer park near the intersection of I-35W and 820, wearing only boxers and a white T-shirt.
Tarrant County Sheriff Bill Waybourn didn’t mince words about the failed escape attempt. “When chuckleheads decide to run from law enforcement, we’ve had a great tradition in Tarrant County and our partners of putting them back where they need to be and keeping the community safe,” Waybourn stated.
The swift recapture came after a coordinated effort involving K-9 officers and assistance from both Fort Worth police and North Richland Hills police, who helped track the escapee through the area, documents show.
Prior Charges and New Legal Troubles
Romero was already facing serious legal trouble before his ill-fated dash for freedom. He was initially arrested on December 4, 2025, on charges of aggravated robbery and tampering, according to records. Now he’ll face additional charges stemming from the escape attempt.
How did Romero manage to flee in the first place? That’s precisely what officials are now investigating. The Tarrant County Sheriff’s Office plans to examine the transport van’s locking mechanism to prevent similar incidents in the future, a department spokesperson confirmed.
Tuesday’s escape attempt disrupted court proceedings and triggered an immediate security response across the area. Multiple agencies coordinated the search effort that ultimately led to the trailer park where Romero was found.
This isn’t the first escape attempt the department has dealt with, but the sheriff’s quick response suggests they’ve developed effective protocols for recapturing inmates. The area where Romero was transported sits near several commercial and residential zones, making the rapid recapture particularly important for public safety.
The incident highlights ongoing challenges in prisoner transport security, even as Tarrant County officials point to their successful track record in handling such situations. For now, Romero is back behind bars — minus his prison uniform but with a fresh set of charges to face when he finally makes it to court.
