Escaped murderer Ramone Alston, who escaped from custody Tuesday morning while being transported to a medical appointment at a North Carolina hospital, has been caught, authorities said.
Ramone Alston was captured shortly before 2 a.m. this morning at a hotel on Cloverleaf Parkway in Kannapolis, North Carolina, following an operation involving FBI Charlotte SWAT agents, Kannapolis Police and Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police, according to a statement from the North Carolina Department of Corrections.
Shortly after, Jacobia Crisp, a female acquaintance, was arrested in Alamance County and charged with felony aiding and abetting a fugitive, officials said.
These undated booking photos courtesy of the Orange County Sheriff’s Office show Ramone Alton.
Orange County Sheriff’s Office
Alston will be charged with felony escape from prison and is being taken to a high security unit in the state prison system where he will resume serving his life sentence for first degree murder and will await court appearances for his escape charges.
Alston was convicted of shooting and killing a 1-year-old girl on Christmas Day in 2015 and is serving a life sentence.
The infant victim, Maleah Williams, had been playing outside with her Christmas toys when she was struck by gunfire, her mother previously told Raleigh ABC station WTVD.
Police are seen at UNC Hospitals Hillsborough campus where Ramone Alston escaped custody, Aug. 13, 2024, in Hillsborough, N.C.
WTVD
Alston, 30, broke away from a corrections officer while being escorted to UNC Hospital in Hillsborough on Tuesday, according to the North Carolina Department of Adult Correction.
“He had freed himself from leg restraints and, still in handcuffs, jumped out and ran into adjacent woods,” the department said in a statement.
Director of Orange County Emergency Services Kirby Saunders said state, local and federal law enforcement teams searched hundreds of acres for Alston, using aerial assets including helicopters, canine resources and ground searchers.
“He’s unpredictable — we don’t know what he’s going to do, so he should certainly probably be considered dangerous,” Keith Acree, a spokesperson for the Department of Adult Correction, said in a press briefing earlier this week. “People make rash decisions at a time like this; he’s already made one very large rash decision this morning.”
This undated booking photo courtesy of the North Carolina Department of Corrections shows Ramone Alston.
North Carolina Department of Corrections
Alston was taken into custody without injuries to anyone.
“I am grateful to our DAC staff and thankful for the support and effort from hundreds of local, state and federal public safety officers who helped in the search and investigation that returned Alston safely to custody,” said Todd Ishee, Secretary of the North Carolina Department of Adult Correction. “This was an incredible collaborative effort of many people and agencies.”
ABC News’ Jason Volack and Julia Reinstein contributed to this report.
Escaped murderer Ramone Alston, who was convicted of fatally shooting a 1-year-old girl, has been apprehended by authorities after a widespread manhunt. The tragic incident occurred in a quiet neighborhood in the early hours of the morning, sending shockwaves through the community and sparking outrage across the country.
Alston, a known criminal with a history of violence, was serving a life sentence for the murder of the young girl when he managed to escape from custody. Authorities immediately launched a search for the dangerous fugitive, warning the public to be on high alert and report any sightings of Alston.
After days of intense searching and following up on leads, law enforcement officers were able to track down Alston to a remote location where he was hiding out. With the help of K-9 units and SWAT teams, they were able to apprehend him without further incident.
The capture of Alston brings a sense of relief to the community, as residents can now rest assured that a dangerous criminal is back behind bars where he belongs. The tragic loss of the young girl will never be forgotten, but justice has been served in this case.
Authorities are now investigating how Alston managed to escape from custody in the first place, and what steps can be taken to prevent similar incidents from happening in the future. The safety and security of the public is of utmost importance, and measures must be put in place to ensure that dangerous criminals like Alston are not able to evade justice.
The apprehension of Ramone Alston serves as a reminder of the dedication and hard work of law enforcement officers who put their lives on the line every day to protect and serve their communities. It also highlights the importance of cooperation between law enforcement agencies and the public in bringing criminals to justice.
As the community begins to heal from this tragic event, they can take solace in knowing that justice has been served and that they can once again feel safe in their own neighborhoods. The memory of the young girl will live on, but her legacy will be one of strength and resilience in the face of tragedy.
