Manhunt leads through Bastrop County

A murder suspect who evaded authorities for nearly two weeks across Central Texas and Bastrop County communities was cap tured after a foot chase with state troopers last week.

Severiano Valdonado, wanted out of Karnes County, was tracked through Bastrop to Smithville by multiple law enforcement agencies, including the Bastrop County Sheriff’s Office and Smithville Police Department. He was found camping along the river in downtown Austin early Oct. 1, according to officials.

Karnes County Sheriff Steven Bailey said Valdonado walked for several days before stealing a truck and taking off to Bastrop County. He reportedly took a kayak and floated down the Colorado River to Smithville, where a resident offered him a ride to a homeless shelter in southeast Austin.