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George Hawthorne has eluded the police for months. He was wanted for five outstanding warrants, and while he thought he might get away with it, the Decatur County Sheriff’s Office proved otherwise on Friday.

Investigator Justin Kelly reportedly received an anonymous tip that Hawthorne was at his home in Brinson. Hawthorne had been moving about for months, with investigators unable to trace him. Following up on the tip, Kelly and Investigator Adam Mobley went to Hawthorne’s residence and knocked on the door.

Mobley said he and Kelly could hear people moving inside the residence, however no one came to the door. They again knocked, with Mobley being stationed at the front door and Kelly at the back door, announcing their presence. After approximately 20 minutes, Mobley said a child answered the door.

Mobley and Kelly asked the child if Hawthorne was home and the child stated he was not.

Mobley and Kelly then entered the home to search for Hawthorne. Among the places they searched was the master bathroom. Inside the master bathroom was what once looked like a linen closet. However, Mobley said there was no such closet there; it had been painted over and drywall was put over it. They then moved their search to the master closet, where Kelley noticed a void between the walls that matched the space the linen closet would be on the other side.

As Kelly moved the plastic bins inside the closet, he saw a cutout in the wall. Kelly ordered Hawthorne to come out.

Hawthorne came out from the void, where he was arrested.

Kelly then stepped inside the cutout and found a clear plastic bag containing two smaller bags of suspected methamphetamine.

Upon questioning, Hawthorne said the bag did not belong to him.

Hawthorne was then transported back to the Decatur County Jail and booked on several charges including, probation violation, sex offender: failure to register, battery, speeding and possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute.