ALAMANCE COUNTY, N.C. — New details have emerged related to the search for a convicted killer who police say escaped custody in Orange County on the morning of Aug. 13.
WFMY News 2 learned Ramone Alston has ties to the Triad and could be here.
Deputies have offered a $35,000 reward for information that leads to his capture, an increase from the previous $25,000 reward being offered.
Officials said that Alston is an Orange County resident and was before he went to prison.
They said he is likely to stay in Orange County or head to Alamance County
Alamance County Sheriff Terry Johnson said Alston's girlfriend lives in Alamance County and officials have been warned to be on the lookout.
They went to her home and were able to look around but did not find him.
Deputies said they tried to look at her phone, and she wouldn't give them access, leading them to suspect they'd been in contact.
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.
"Any person who would kill a small child is a dangerous individual. The sheriffs of these counties have the responsibility to make sure it doesn't happen to any of their citizens, and that's why we sent people down to Orange County, and that's why I'll continue to look for that rascal," said Johnson.
The Alamance County Sheriff's Office sent a 12-man group to Orange County to help with the search efforts.
That group has returned to the Triad.
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