SAN DIEGO -- Nearly four hours after his escape, the search for Richard Tuite -- the accused killer of Stephanie Crowe -- came to an end, 10News reported.
Tuite, 34, who escaped from custody at the San Diego County courts complex on Broadway in downtown San Diego late Monday morning, surrendered to officers at Clairemont Square mall in the 4300 block of Clairemont Drive shortly before 4:30 p.m., 10News reported.
The diagnosed schizophrenic, who was about to stand trial for the stabbing death of a North County schoolgirl six years ago, escaped Monday during a break in jury selection proceedings.
Tuite was not shackled when he walked away from San Diego's downtown courts complex in the 200 block of Broadway shortly after 1 p.m., according to authorities.
Sheriff Bill Kolender said Tuite, a known transient, asked a deputy if he could move his handcuff from one hand to another to eat a sandwich. The deputy turned away and "the next thing you know (Tuite) is gone."
The sheriff said he was embarrassed by the incident and said measures would be taken to fix it.
"My gut reaction is there is no excuse for this," Kolender said. "I'm embarrassed. We will find out what happened and why, and handle it. We will fix it."
Authorities locked down the courthouse for a time while officers fanned out through the area in search of Tuite, who is accused of knifing 12-year-old Crowe, (pictured, right), in her bed at her Escondido-area home in January 1998.
At the time of his capture, the 5-foot-7-inch, roughly 150-pound suspect was wearing gray pants, a long-sleeved white dress shirt and brown shoes. When captured, police found a San Diego County Jail t-shirt on the suspect.
San Diego police issued an all-points bulletin and started a search. A command post was set up at Second Avenue and Cedar Street.
The police notified the Border Patrol, California Highway Patrol the San Diego Trolley and all public transportation facilities.
Authorities interviewed the deputy who was assigned to watch Tuite.
Related Stories: - December 19, 2003: Tuite Trial To Remain In San Diego
- September 25, 2003: Judge: Tuite Mentally Competent To Stand Trial
- July 16, 2003: Judge: Tuite Must Be Examined By Psychiatrist
- June 9, 2003: Judge Could Reveal Tuite's Troubled Past To Jurors
- March 26, 2003: Tentative Date Set For Tuite Trial
- March 17, 2003: Tuite Pleads Not Guilty To Crowe Murder
- March 4, 2003: Tuite To Stand Trial For Crowe Murder
- February 27, 2003: Teen In Tuite Hearing Can't Explain Knife
- February 26, 2003: Teen Takes Stand In Tuite Hearing
- February 25, 2003: Prosecutors Play 'Confession' Tape In Tuite Hearing
- February 20, 2003: Tape: Teen Admits Part In Stephanie Crowe Murder
- February 19, 2003: Will Tuite Stand Trial For Stephanie Crowe's Murder?
- February 14, 2003: Court: Tuite Can Present Evidence Against Crowe's Brother
- February 11, 2003: Tuite Preliminary Hearing On Hold
- February 10, 2003: Tuite Preliminary Hearing Continues
- February 6, 2003: 2nd Day Of Tuite Hearing Under Way
- February 5, 2003: Day 1 Of Tuite Preliminary Hearing Held
- September 19, 2002: Tuite's Preliminary Hearing Set
- August 26, 2002: Tuite Hearing May Come This Fall
- May 22, 2002: Crowe Family Wants Civil Case Sped Up
- May 16, 2002: Tuite Pleads Not Guilty To Crowe Murder
- May 16, 2002: Tuite To Be Arraigned Today
- May 15, 2002: Tuite To Be Charged With Stephanie Crowe's Murder
- December 3, 2001: Gag Order Lifted In Stephanie Crowe Case
- November 15, 2001: Crowe Murder Suspect Back In Prison
- July 11, 2001: Crowe Murder Suspect Released From Prison
- June 29, 2001: Breakthrough Expected In Crowe Murder Case
- May 30, 2001: Man Linked To Crowe Murder Back In Prison
- May 25, 2001: Man Investigated In Crowe Murder To Be Paroled
Copyright 2004 by 10News.com. All rights reserved. This material may not be
published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
VIDEO: 
