The Ames Police Department led an 18-minute manhunt in downtown Ames Thursday in search of an escapee from the custody of the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office.

The Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office was transporting two prisoners Thursday morning when the man escaped. One prisoner was being transported to the Curt Forbes Residential Center, 111 Sherman Ave., in Ames by the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office, while the other prisoner was being transported to Des Moines.

George Burden, 21, Webster City, was not wearing handcuffs at the time of the incident and fled on foot from the deputy who had custody of the two subjects at the halfway house on Sherman Avenue, said Ames Police Cmdr. Jim Robinson.

Ames Police officers and the Hamilton County deputy searched for Burden. Robinson said the Ames Police Department used all of its uniformed shift officers and investigators in the search.

Burden was apprehended without resisting arrest in the back yard of the fire station after being seen walking north across 13th Street, near Fire Station No. 1, 1300 Burnett Ave.

Burden was originally arrested and charged with first degree robbery in Webster City.

Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office officials could not be reached for comment.