YOUNGSTOWN — An escapee from the Eastern Ohio Correction Center in Lisbon has been caught in Youngstown after almost two months on the run.

The U.S. Marshals-led Northern Ohio Violent Fugitive Task Force arrested Ashley Croley, 37, early Thursday. According to a news release, she was tracked by the NOVFTF to Youngstown, where they arrested her in the 100 block of East Judson Avenue.

Croley’s associate, Mark Heath, also was arrested on charges of obstruction of justice stemming from actions during the arrest, according to a U.S. Marshals news release. They were both transported to the Mahoning County jail.

During her escape Aug. 5, Croley allegedly stole a blue Chevrolet Cobalt in the parking lot of East Chicago Pizza on North Market Street in Lisbon, which is across the street and up the hill from EOCC. She ran over the owner’s foot in the process, officials allege.

Croley was indicted earlier this month on charges of escape, grand theft of a motor vehicle, felonious assault and vehicular assault.

Croley had entered a guilty plea to aggravated possession of drugs, a fifth-degree felony, in February and was placed on probation for possessing methamphetamine on Aug. 5, 2022.

Just two weeks later, the prosecution filed a motion for a probation violation against Croley. She was supposed to appear for a hearing in April, but didn’t show up, leading to a warrant for her arrest.

She was taken into custody in June, leading up to the hearing in July when Columbiana County Common Pleas Judge Scott Washam continued her probation to Aug. 9, 2024, but ordered she be sent to EOCC for up to six months as part of her community control.

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