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An alert was issued by the Sykesville Police Department regarding inmate Jeremiah Ballard, who made his great escape early on Thursday, Jan. 19, prompting a manhunt being led by the Maryland Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services Investigation Unit (DPSCS).
According to the DPSCS, Ballard was serving a five-year bid in minimum security for theft and assault charges.
Ballard was described as being a 5-foot-10, 150-pound Black man with long dreadlocks. He was last seen wearing a blue prison jumpsuit, dark-blue jacket, tan hat, and glasses.
His escape led to a temporary lockdown at nearby Sykesville Middle School on Thursday afternoon as a precaution.
“We are told that they are not actively searching for him in this area as there is no reason to believe that he is still here,” a Sykesville Police Department spokesperson said. “We will continue to monitor their investigation and provide relevant updates as they are relayed to us.
“This is a State facility that is located outside of the town limits. We were informed of the escape at 11:30 a.m. (on Thursday) and immediately responded to the scene to assist until we were released by DPSCS Investigators.
Anyone with information regarding Ballard or his whereabouts has been instructed to call 911.
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