Sheriff: Escaped inmate may still be in Maple Hill neighborhood

NC GAZETTE / WBRT RADIO
STAFF REPORT

May 17, 2017, 3:45 p.m. — Police are searching for an inmate who escaped police custody while being transferred from Muhlenberg County to the Nelson County Jail.

ANTHONY WHITE

At about 12:36 Wednesday afternoon, Anthony White, 49, was in the back of Deputy Keith Riley’s cruiser being driven to the Nelson County Jail via Cathedral Manor.

During the trip from Muhlenberg County, White apparently was able to get free from his restraints. With his hands free, once the police cruiser was in town, he was able to reach out of a partly opened window and open his door.

White fled on foot from the vehicle in the area of the Nelson County Public Library and Bethlehem High School. Officers have been searching the Maple Hill and surrounding areas in an effort to locate White. Officers located White’s shirt in the area of Barton Road and Kennett Avenue.

White is 5-1o in height, and weighs 175 pounds. He has brown eyes and short balding hair and numerous tattoos. He is believed to be wearing a t-shirt, blue shorts and had no shoes. He was being transported from Muhlenberg County Detention Center to the Nelson County Jail to appear in court on theft charges.  He was in the Muhlenberg County Jail facing heroin charges.

White has a lengthy criminal history being a persistent felony offender including drugs, burglary, theft, forgery, and escape charges. His last known address is in Mount Washington.

Sheriff Ed Mattingly asked the residents of the Maple Hill area to be vigilant and report anything suspicious to Nelson County Dispatch at 502-348-3211.

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