Ramone Jamarr Alston, 30, escaped custody while being transported for medical care, sparking a widespread search and a $25,000 reward for his capture.
A manhunt is underway in North Carolina after a convicted murderer escaped the custody of law enforcement officers while en route to receive medical care at a nearby hospital.
Ramone Jamarr Alston, 30, managed to free himself from leg restraints and jump out of a vehicle while being transported from Bertie Correctional Institution to UNC Gastroenterology in Hillsborough.
Manhunt Intensifies for Escaped Convicted Murderer in North Carolina
According to Orange County Sheriff Charles Blackwood, two armed corrections officers were guarding Alston at the time of the escape. He said that despite following protocol by securing their weapons in a lockbox, the officers were unable to prevent Alston's flight.
"If someone has an intent to go where you don't know, they're going to go, and they run," Blackwood explained. "The gentleman, as soon as he put his foot on the ground to get out of the vehicle, took off running."
Manhunt Intensifies for Escaped Convicted Murderer in North Carolina
Authorities believe that Alston had assistance in his escape and have offered a $25,000 reward for information leading to his capture. They urged residents to lock their doors and windows and report any suspicious activity.
Alston, who was serving a life sentence for the 2015 murder of 1-year-old Maleah Williams, was last seen wearing a gray T-shirt, brown pants, and white New Balance shoes. He was also wearing handcuffs attached to a belly chain with a black box.
Manhunt Intensifies for Escaped Convicted Murderer in North Carolina
"As far as the community goes, there are two ways of looking at this," Blackwood said. "He's either within a five-mile radius or he's in the rest of the world. And we're searching both."
The Orange County Sheriff's Office has launched a widespread search involving multiple law enforcement agencies and air support. They have set up checkpoints in the area and are conducting house-to-house searches.
Manhunt Intensifies for Escaped Convicted Murderer in North Carolina
Authorities are also reaching out to other states and jurisdictions, including the FBI and the US Marshals Service, to assist in the search for Alston.
The escape of a convicted murderer has raised questions about the security measures in place when transporting inmates. Sheriff Blackwood said that they are reviewing their protocols to identify any areas that need to be improved.
"We will be reviewing our security procedures and making sure that we are doing everything we can to prevent incidents like this from happening again," Blackwood said.
