A prisoner serving a life sentence for murder, who had escaped from a transport van earlier this week, was apprehended on Friday at a hotel in Kannapolis, North Carolina, authorities confirmed.
The 30-year-old prisoner, Ramone Alston, managed to flee from the van on Tuesday upon its arrival at the UNC Gastroenterology hospital in Hillsborough, North Carolina, where he was scheduled for a medical appointment. Alston reportedly freed himself from his leg restraints and absconded into the nearby woods while still wearing handcuffs, as per the North Carolina Department of Adult Correction.
Law enforcement officers successfully took Alston back into custody around 2 a.m. at a hotel in Kannapolis, located approximately 110 miles southwest of Hillsborough, without any injuries occurring during the arrest, according to a departmental news release.
Department Secretary Todd Ishee expressed gratitude towards the DAC staff and acknowledged the extensive support and collaboration from numerous local, state, and federal public safety officers who contributed to the search and investigation that led to Alston's safe recapture.
Alston had been serving a life sentence at Bertie Correctional Institution in Windsor following his conviction in the murder case of 1-year-old Maleah Williams. The tragic incident occurred on Christmas Day in 2015 when Maleah was shot from a passing car while playing outside her family's apartment in Chapel Hill, ultimately succumbing to her injuries three days later.
Alston is set to face charges for felony escape from prison and is slated to be transferred to a high-security unit within the state prison system, the release indicated.
Subsequently, a woman described as an acquaintance of Alston was arrested in Alamance County shortly after the capture and charged with felony aiding and abetting a fugitive, as per the department. Any other individuals found to have assisted Alston may also face charges in connection with the escape.
