THREE HILLS, Alta. - An inmate on an escorted day pass in central Alberta is back in custody after kidnapping a guard and dumping her before he drove away.

RCMP say the female corrections officer was taking the inmate back to the Drumheller Institution on Tuesday after he visited his family in Buck Lake.

Police say the inmate faked being sick and overpowered the guard by choking her with his hands and a seatbelt.

He tied her up in the back seat of the van, but eventually dropped her at a rural intersection.

The suspect was tracked down to Olds, Alta., where he was arrested without incident.

Donald Junior Fowler, who is 32, faces numerous charges, including assaulting a peace officer, kidnapping and forcible confinement.