A minimum-security prisoner who escaped from a halfway house in Alaska came back three hours later, but not to turn himself in.

State Troopers say 20-year-old Joshua Yaska returned with a vehicle and tried to help other inmates flee the facility in Fairbanks.

Staff members say Yaska was spotted leaving on a bike just after 1am on Sunday.

Troopers say he returned at 4.20am and tried to "aid in the escape of other inmates". Authorities say he tried to strike a halfway house employee with the vehicle.

He was caught that night after he broke into a relative's home.

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