(NEW YORK) – After a nearly two-and-a-half-month manhunt, law enforcement officials have arrested fugitive Joshua Zimmerman, who has been on the run since escaping from the DeSoto County Circuit Court building in Mississippi on June 14.

The United States Marshals Service said Zimmerman was arrested Wednesday morning following an overnight standoff at the restaurant at 2325 West Madison Street.

Authorities said police officers tracked down Zimmerman at the Chicago restaurant on Tuesday, where he barricaded himself in. The restaurant was then surrounded by a Chicago SWAT team.

The investigation into Zimmerman’s escape was extensive and was supported by federal, state and local authorities.

“We worked tirelessly for 68 days with various organizations to bring this case to a close,” a DeSoto County spokesperson said as the dispute continued. “We thank the public for their patience as we intentionally kept the details private to avoid the spread of misinformation.”

Officials said they were focused on extradition plans and hoped for a speedy resolution.

“We are keen to return Zimmerman to our detention facility so that we can thoroughly investigate the circumstances of his escape,” the spokesman said.

The spectacular case has attracted a great deal of media attention. Major networks and public figures such as Dog the Bounty Hunter are closely following developments. The spokesman acknowledged the widespread interest in the case and said: “This is a significant event and we are determined to bring it to a successful conclusion.”

Zimmerman was charged with the murder of a woman in Houston, Texas, in 2023. As ABC News’ Houston station KTRK-TV reported last year, he was arrested by police in Mississippi on September 29, 2023, for a different crime.

Other charges included attempted murder, armed robbery, illegal possession of a firearm and a charge related to auto theft.

Zimmerman escaped from custody when he was taken to the De Soto County Courthouse for a hearing along with several other inmates.

De Soto County District Attorney Matthew Barton said Zimmerman was able to break away from the group, change his clothes and remove his handcuffs. Security cameras recorded Zimmerman leaving the courthouse wearing khaki pants and a white shirt.

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