67°
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.
Click here to follow Daily Voice Gaithersburg and receive free news updates.
