Global Courant 2023-05-24 21:32:58
Kentucky authorities are working to arrest a double murder inmate who escaped from an Ohio prison with another inmate.
Officials are searching the Camaro Drive area of Henderson, Kentucky, for Bradley Gillespie, 50, who escaped from the Allen-Oakwood Correctional Institution in Lima, a town about 350 miles northeast of Henderson, according to the Henderson Police Department And the Allen County Sheriff’s Office.
Gillespie has been in jail for double murder since November 2016. according to data from the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction. His charges also include burglary, robbery, assault, possession of drugs, escape, forgery, receiving stolen property, gun violations and burglary, according to the Henderson Police Department.
The sheriff’s office described Gillespie as bald with blue eyes and weighing about 200 pounds. Henderson police said early Wednesday that Gillespie was last seen in dark clothing and still appeared bald.
Henderson police on Wednesday morning urged local residents to “remain vigilant, lock your doors and contact 911 if you see anyone matching the description or have unlocked any buildings that could hide Gillespie .”
Lieutenant Stuart O’Nan of the Henderson Police Department told NBC News in an email shortly before 11 a.m. local time that Gillespie “should be considered armed and dangerous based on his history. We also consider him a danger to the public because of his past.”
He added that authorities are using “officers, K9s, drones and helicopters” to find Gillespie.
“We are using all the resources we have to protect our community and locate Bradley Gillespie,” added O’Nan.
Authorities said Gillespie escaped prison with James Lee, 47, whom authorities captured in Henderson early Wednesday. That reports the Ohio State Highway Patrol And the Allen County Sheriff’s Office.
James Lee and Bradley Gillespie.The Allen County (OH) Sheriff’s Office.
Henderson police attempted a traffic stop shortly after 3:15 a.m. Wednesday on a stolen car they believe Gillespie and Lee were in when the car attempted to flee, police said in a Facebook message. Officers chased the vehicle until it crashed on Camaro Drive, where Lee and Gillespie fled on foot, police said. Officers arrested Lee, but Gillespie evaded capture.
Lee has been in jail for burglary and other charges since March 2021, show state data.
Sheriff Matthew Treglia of Allen County told NBC affiliate WLIO of Lima early Wednesday morning that authorities have “established a tight perimeter around Gillespie” and that he believes authorities will take him into custody shortly. Treglia added that officials believe the men traveled together, but did not elaborate.
Victoria Gonzalez, the public information officer for the Allen County Sheriff’s Office, told NBC News Wednesday morning that there had been no new updates on Gillespie’s current location.
A Henderson Police Department representative was not immediately available Wednesday morning.
Lee went missing on a prisoner count at 11 a.m. Tuesday, prompting the warden to authorize an emergency prisoner count, which revealed that Gillespie was also missing. according to a press release from the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Corrections and the Ohio State Highway Patrol. Officials then determined that the men were last seen on surveillance video at the facility just after 8:40 a.m. Monday, according to the press release.
It was not immediately clear when or how the men escaped from prison. O’Nan said authorities could not answer questions about how the men escaped.
The US Marshal Service, the Ohio State Highway Patrol and the Allen County Sheriff’s Office said in a press release before Lee was captured, they offered up to $21,000 for information leading to the arrest of both men, and that the Ohio Corrections Department also conduct an internal investigation.
