MORGANTON - William L. Hicks, 18, is back in custody at Western Youth Institution after escaping Wednesday while on a work assignment at the Riddle Developmental Center.

He was captured at about 5:30 p.m. Thursday at an Asheville Wal-mart, where he was detained on suspicion of attempting to shoplift. Local law enforcement officers suspected that Hicks was an at-large escapee and notified Department of Correction officials, who confirmed Hicks' identity.

The car that Hicks stole in his escape was found and impounded.

Hicks was returned to Western Youth Institution.

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