Escaped Prisoner, David Watson, Convicted Of Shooting At Cops’ Houses, Recaptured
David Watson was captured after a days-long manhunt.
David Watson Captured
Jessup, MD – The manhunt for escaped prisoner David Watson is over.
According to Fox5DC, Watson was found Wednesday night, May 3, by a Howard County police tactical team about 9:40 PM in a wooded area near Dorsey Run Road. He was discovered by police officers who were using night vision equipment as Watson was trying to hide in a small drainage pipe, about 18 inches in size.
He had been sentenced to 106 years for attempted murder in Delaware after shooting into the homes of police officers, and has pending charges in Maryland for the attempted murder of police officers in Wicomico County.
Watson was being taken for a mental evaluation when he escaped on Friday, April 28, about 9:40 AM. The prison van carrying Watson and two Wicomico County detention center guards had just arrived at the Clifton T. Perkins Hospital when Watson escaped.
He managed to push the guards aside and flee into the woods near Dorsey Run Road. It was not believed that Watson was armed when he escaped, as the guards had already secured their weapons before opening the door to get Watson out of the van.
A massive manhunt began for Watson. Investigators found handcuffs and a waist chain near the van, and articles of Watson’s clothing in the woods.
A local employee called 911 on Wednesday to report a suspicious man, wearing a white hard hat and a safety vest, behind a building near the railroad tracks in the 8200 block of Dorsey Run Road. The suspicious man fled, and it was believed that he was Watson.
A hard hat and a safety vest had been reported stolen from a storage building located about a mile away from the area. After officers responded to the 911 call, they searched the area, including the drainage ditch, and found packing materials. They also found shoe prints matching Watson’s shoes in the area.
Watson surrendered and was taken into custody. He was reported to be in good condition.
Police Officers from the Howard County Police, U.S. Marshals Service, Maryland State Police, Anne Arundel County Police, Howard County Sheriff’s Office, Natural Resources Police, and CSX Police assisted in the search. Helicopters, bloodhounds, K-9 units and tactical teams were used to search areas near the psychiatric hospital including industrial areas, wooded areas and tunnels.
It is unknown if the escape was planned or was an impulsive move by Watson.
