Little Houdini' caper in Kennesaw

Metro Atlanta

Police ended a nearly three-hour lockdown at Kennesaw State University on Tuesday without finding the Tennessee fugitive believed to be hiding on campus.

Christopher Daniel Gay's life has been one long, sad country song, the latest verse written when he bolted from a sheriff's deputy at a Kennesaw Waffle House on his way to jail. Gay's ballad has taken him from a rough childhood in the hills to a joyride around a NASCAR track. He has escaped from custody so many times folks call him "Little Houdini." Trying to reach his dying mama, he took a Wal-Mart truck and then a Nashville singer's tour bus.

As the search for Gay continued, all appeared normal at the Waffle House at at 3340 Frey Road, where the deputy had stopped to get food for his prisoner.

Kennesaw State University was shut down for a few hours in March when the prisoner escaped from a Coffee County, Tenn., sheriff's deputy.

If Gay could kick his drug and alcohol habit for good, maybe his life could be different. Gay's friend, Jerry Nail, who counseled him in prison in Tennessee, says Gay is trying and adds that he believes in God and wouldn't hurt anyone. "He's just a good individual that makes bad choices," Nail said. "That's not anything to shun him for."

Cobb Police K-9 units, including "Bubba" the dog, joined KSU police on a search of campus for the fugitive, identified as Chris Gay.

They found his shirt in a wooded area, but "Little Houdini" apparently was able to blend into the crowds of students.

Police search vehicles entering or leaving the Kennesaw State University campus, including cars on Frey Road (above) Tuesday.

Cars had to wait in line to leave campus as police searched for the fugitive. Chris Gay, wanted for larceny and theft charges, wasn't believed to be dangerous.

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Christopher Daniel Gay's life has been one long, sad country song, the latest verse written when he bolted from a sheriff's deputy at a Kennesaw Waffle House on his way to jail. Gay's ballad has taken him from a rough childhood in the hills to a joyride around a NASCAR track. He has escaped from custody so many times folks call him "Little Houdini." Trying to reach his dying mama, he took a Wal-Mart truck and then a Nashville singer's tour bus.

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