Geiger escapee in custody

Geiger escapee Michael S. Wheeler is back in custody after being captured Wednesday night by Spokane police as he tried to flee across Hangman Creek. Police said they were conducting follow-up interviews with people Wheeler may have been in contact with when they spotted him leaving a house near 1200 S. Chestnut, on foot, through some bushes and into the river. There was a steep bank on the other side, and officers called out to him and he surrendered. He was taken to a hospital to check for hypothermia and will be transported to Spokane County Jail once he is cleared medically. Wheeler has been missing from the Geiger Correctional Facility since Sunday. He was in custody for attempting to elude, possession of a stolen vehicle, assault of a health services provider, unlawful possession of a firearm, possession of stolen property, residential burglary and theft charges.