The all-out manhunt for an escaped prisoner accused of stealing 16 guns from a U.S. Army Reserve Center in Massachusetts back in 2015 is now stretching into its fourth day.
James Walker Morales is believed to have been injured when he escaped Saturday night from Wyatt Detention Facility in Central Falls, Rhode Island, according to the U.S. Marshals Service.
A police source told NBC Boston Monday that the car stolen by Morales on Sunday was found in Framingham, Massachusetts, just a block from his ex-girlfriend's house.
Police have been searching the area of the ex-girlfriend's home but have yet to find James Walker Morales, who escaped from Wyatt Detention Facility in Central Falls, Rhode Island on Saturday night.
U.S. Marshals say Morales may be armed and is considered to be extremely dangerous. He remains on the run and authorities said he may be in Massachusetts, but that he could be in another state by now.
“We’ve increased our community action team in the town of Framingham, Mass, that’s not to say he’s there or not, but we’re giving it everything we have,” said U.S. Marshal Jamie Hainsworth.
The prison warden said Morales climbed up onto a basketball hoop, cut through wire, got onto the roof during outside recreation, then jumped down and climbed a barbed wire fence to get out. Blood was found in various areas of facilities, so officials believe Morales is wounded and bleeding from the razor wire.
Hospitals in the area have been notified, as officials believe he may require medical attention.
“The evidence indicates that Mr. Morales was injured during his escape and may require medical attention,” said U.S. Marshal Jamie Hainsworth. “We are asking hospitals, walk-in centers and other medical professionals to be aware and to contact law enforcement.”
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Morales is described as 6'1" and 180 pounds with brown eyes and black hair. He has a large eagle tattoo on the left side of his neck and was bald at the time of his escape.
Early Sunday morning, a Massachusetts State Police K-9 Unit tracked Morales to the area under an Interstate 95 overpass near the Massachusetts-Rhode Island border. At that location, police found what appeared to be discarded prison clothing with blood on it.
The investigation suggested Morales stole a car from the parking lot of the BK Mart tobacco store on Route 1 in Attleboro, Massachusetts, around 7 p.m. An employee at the BK Mart said the customer who had her car stolen left it unlocked and running while she was in the store. She added that the customer's phone was still in the car.
U.S. Marshals have set up a toll-free number, asking people to call 1-800-336-0102 if they have any information. All calls will be confidential.
If anyone sees Morales, they are asked to call 911 immediately.
The FBI says Morales - a former Army reservist - stole six assault rifles and 10 handguns from the Lincoln Stoddard Army Reserve Center in Worcester in 2015. He was arrested in New York days after the theft, and most of the guns were later recovered.
He has a long criminal history dating back to 2009, including a child rape charge for allegedly sexually assaulting his friend's young daughter.
