David Watson manhunt: Police call off search as escaped prisoner eludes capture

David Watson was captured Wednesday night after nearly a week on the run. (Howard County Police Departmen)

Authorities in Maryland suspended the ground search for escaped prisoner David Watson on Saturday as the hunt for the convict extended to a second day.

Police in Howard County scoured the area around Clifton T. Perkins Hospital in Jessup with bloodhounds, K-9 units and helicopters with heat-seeking technology, but to no avail. There were no indications that Watson was even in the area and there have been no sightings, Fox 5 DC reported.

The search for Watson remains active. Howard County police are searching for him with help from the U.S. Marshals Service and Maryland State Police. Authorities in Wicomico County and Delaware are also assisting.

Watson, who is currently serving over 100 years in prison after being convicted of attempted murder in Delaware, is also facing additional attempted murder charges in Wicomico County. Police said those charges are for repeated incidents involving police officers.

Authorities said Watson was being brought to the Clifton T. Perkins Hospital Center for a mental evaluation. When police arrived, authorities said Watson managed to push the guards aside and flee into the nearby woods. Police said handcuffs and a waist chain were found near where Watson escaped and some articles of clothing were found in the woods, but it was unclear if they belonged to Watson.

Police do not believe Watson is armed and there is no indication as to whether his brazen escape was planned prior to the hospital trip or if it was an impulsive move.

Watson is described as a white male who is 5-feet 8-inches tall and weighs around 140 pounds. Police released photos of Watson that shows “EVIL” tattooed on the back of his neck and “187” on his left arm.

A $5,000 reward has been offered for information of his whereabouts, the Baltimore Sun reported.

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