Law enforcement officers in Spokane say an inmate missing since a weekend escape has been recaptured after jumping into the chilly waters of a local creek.

Spokane police say Michael Wheeler was recaptured late Wednesday in the High Bridge Park area.

Officials said they had been watching a home on Wednesday afternoon when Wheeler left the house and started running for Latah (LAY-tah) Creek. Wheeler finally complied with orders to get out of the water and was transported to a hospital for treatment of hypothermia.

A manhunt for the 38-year-old began when he escaped last Sunday from nearby Geiger Corrections Center, where he worked in the kitchen.

He was in custody on a variety of charges including assault, burglary and possession of a stolen vehicle.