Convicted murderer escapes hospital, $50K reward offered

Authorities are offering a $50,000 reward for information leading to the capture of a convict who allegedly escaped from a medical appointment, according to the North Carolina Department of Adult Corrections.

This convict has been identified as 30-year-old Ramone Alston . Per the department of adult correction, Alston escaped at around 7 a.m. Tuesday morning while being transported from Bertie Correctional Institution in Windsor to the UNC Hospitals Hillsborough campus.

“He had freed himself from leg restraints and, still in handcuffs, jumped out and ran into adjacent woods,” said authorities.

Alston is serving a life sentence for 1st degree murder. He was convicted in 2018 of fatally shooting a one-year-old child in Chapel Hill, N.C. WFMY said that child was named Maleah Williams. The shooting occurred in 2015.

Officials said that Alston has family and friends in the area.

“There is someone out there who knows where Alston is,” said Secretary Todd Ishee of the North Carolina Department of Adult Correction. “We hope that this reward will bring them forward with the critical information that leads to Alston’s capture.”

On Tuesday, the department announced a $35,000 reward . By Thursday, the reward had grown, with a $10,000 contribution from the United States Marshals Service and another $10,000 from the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

“He is a 30-year-old black male who stands [5’11] tall and weighs about 230 pounds,” said the department of correction of Alston. “At the time of his escape, he had long black dreadlocks, although he may have tried to change his appearance since then.”

People are advised not to approach Alton. Those who see him are asked to call 911 to alert local authorities.  Anyone who might have information about his whereabouts is asked to call 919-324-1082.

“State, federal and local law enforcement are working together to locate and arrest Ramone Alston and return him to state custody,” said Governor Roy Cooper. “I urge anyone with information to please come forward and contact the Department of Adult Correction tipline.”