HILLSBOROUGH, N.C. — Authorities are searching for a man who escaped from Bertie Correctional Institution custody while heading to UNC Gastroenterology in Hillsborough to receive medical care, the Orange Co. sheriff's office said.
The sheriff's office said Ramone Alston freed himself around 7 a.m. Tuesday from leg restraints, jumped out of the transport van at the UNC Hospital and ran into the woods.
Alston was wearing a gray tee shirt, brown pants, and white New Balance shoes. He also wore handcuffs connected to a belly chain with a black box over the junction. He has "FLAME" tattooed on him with a star in the center, as well as "NIECE" on his right arm.
Officials confirmed that Alston is an Orange County resident and was before he went to prison.
Alston was sentenced to life in prison back in 2018. He was found guilty of first-degree murder and discharging a weapon inside an occupied building in Chapel Hill, killing 1-year-old Maleah Williams.
The NC Corrections Department, "He has family, friends and connections in Orange and Alamance counties."
Alamance County Sheriff’s Office, Highway Patrol and Burlington Police were all notified to be on the lookout.
Orange County officials said they believe Alston had help in his escape efforts and the state Dept. of Corrections offered up to a $35,000 reward to anyone who can provide information that leads to his capture.
If you have information on his whereabouts, call this tip line: 919-324-1082.
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