A 43-year-old Westminster man who failed to return to the Detention Center from a work release program Wednesday afternoon was being held on $15,000 bail on a charge of escape yesterday.

Julian Wade Hanson was committed to the Detention Center March 4 and allowed to join a work release program. He was due to return at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday; when he did not, the charge was filed.

Mr. Hanson was seen walking on Interstate 795 and was arrested by a deputy sheriff on Route 140 near Reisterstown about 10 a.m. yesterday. He was held without bail after a hearing before a court commissioner, but bail of $15,000 was set later at a hearing before Judge Donald M. Smith.

Mr. Hanson was returned to the Detention Center.