Justin Michael Carruth, 24, could now spend up to six months behind bars after spending three days on the run before being arrested in Melbourne last night.

Melbourne Magistrates Court heard Carruth escaped from the minimum security prison on Monday night when he became worried over a dispute with the mother of his child.

He reportedly caught a taxi from Beechworth to Wodonga after escaping, before making his way to Melbourne.

Carruth's lawyer, Bernie Balmer, said his client was "having issues" with his former partner and let his emotions get the better of him when he decided to escape.

"Whilst there are boundaries love has no boundaries," Mr Balmer said.

Read more about Curruth's court appearance here.

After four days, Carruth’s freedom has came to an abrupt end.

The Beechworth prison escapee was arrested at 5.30pm yesterday when police found him alone at a Melbourne apartment.

A Victoria Police spokeswoman said Carruth, 24, was taken into custody without incident.

He was last night charged with escaping prison, possessing and using a drug of dependence and possessing the proceeds of crime, after being interviewed by detectives from Operation ROPE, which targets offenders wanted on breach of parole warrants.

The Frankston man fled the prison on Monday night, just 22 days short of serving out his 70-day sentence for theft and deception offences.

Wardens first noticed Carruth missing from Monday’s 9pm muster, when the jail is usually locked up for the night.

Police believe he made his way into Beechworth where he allegedly told local resident Adrian Osborne his car had broken down.

He then caught a cab with Beechworth Taxis owner Noel Evans to Wodonga, where he was met by a friend who paid the fare.

Both men later told The Border Mail Carruth had appeared to be a “friendly” and “genuine” person.

For almost four days Wodonga police searched trains and buses but suspected he might have already left the area for Melbourne, where he has family.