Prisoner serving life for murder who escaped in North Carolina has been caught

KANNAPOLIS, N.C. (AP) — A prisoner serving a life sentence for homicide was captured at a North Carolina resort early Friday, three days after his escape on the best way to a medical appointment, and authorities say he had assist from not less than one individual.

Ramone Alston, 30, escaped from a van Tuesday because it arrived on the UNC Gastroenterology hospital in Hillsborough, the place he was being taken for a medical appointment. He freed himself from his leg restraints and fled into the woods with handcuffs on, based on the North Carolina Division of Grownup Correction.

Alston was taken into custody at about 2 a.m. at a resort in Kannapolis, close to Charlotte, about 110 miles (177 kilometers) southwest of Hillsborough, the division mentioned in a information launch, and nobody was injured through the arrest. Alston might be charged with felony escape from jail, based on the discharge.

Alston was taken to the Granville Correctional Establishment’s high-security most management unit, the state jail system’s most safe, to renew serving his life sentence, Division Secretary Todd Ishee mentioned at a information convention Friday afternoon. Alston may face extra fees associated to his escape.

On-line courtroom data didn’t instantly record the case or an lawyer who may converse on Alston’s behalf.

“Whereas we will’t present specifics about how Alston was situated, I can guarantee you it was the results of distinctive investigative work and dedication from the staff that was assembled to work this escape,” Ishee mentioned. “I’m grateful for the folks standing right here with me as we speak and the a whole lot of officers, deputies, brokers and investigators who they signify that every one labored so laborious this week with nice collaboration to deliver Alston again into custody.”

Officers will consider whether or not anybody is eligible for the reward provided for data resulting in Alston’s seize, Ishee mentioned, including that the division is conducting an inner investigation and overview to establish areas for enchancment. The officers who had been transporting Alston haven’t been positioned on go away however had been reassigned to non-transportation duties.

Alston has been serving a life sentence at Bertie Correctional Establishment in Windsor since his conviction within the killing of 1-year-old Maleah Williams, who was shot on Christmas Day in 2015 from a passing automobile whereas she was enjoying outdoors her household’s residence in Chapel Hill. She died three days later.

A lady described as an acquaintance of Alston’s was arrested shortly afterward in Alamance County and charged with felony aiding and abetting a fugitive, the division mentioned. Investigators imagine she drove Alston round, but it surely wasn’t clear when or the place, or whether or not she was the one individual doing so, division spokesman Keith Acree mentioned by cellphone.

Alston’s relationship together with her started a number of months in the past and was performed principally by cellphone, Orange County Sheriff Charles Blackwood mentioned on the information convention. Officers are investigating whether or not anybody else was concerned.