May 18, 2013
Authorities say a tip from a passing motorist led them to an escaped killer from a prison in Halifax County.
James Ladd, who was serving three life sentences, was captured just before 11:00 a.m. along Highway 125 near Scotland Neck.
The Department of Correction says a motorist told them about a man he had just seen running from the woods toward a nearby home. Teams then immediately responded and Ladd was found crouched down in an open garage attached to the house.
Ladd escaped Sunday from a state prison farm in Tillery. He now faces escape charges as well as internal prison disciplinary charges.
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The search continues today for a convicted murderer who escaped from a prison farm Sunday morning in Halifax County.
James Ladd was serving three consecutive life sentences for a 1981 robbery and shooting deaths of two men in Yadkin County.
The search for the escapee has extended as far as Rocky Mount and a helicopter was used overnight. More than 60 Prison Emergency Response Team members and prison officers, along with State Wildlife officers and Alcohol Law Enforcement agents are searching for Ladd.
Officers say Ladd was operating a tractor outside the Tillery Correctional Center. The tractor was found abandoned just before noon.
They say Ladd may have shaven his graying beard since his escape. He was last seen wearing green pants and a white t-shirt, but prison officials say the man may also have a pair of black pants.
Monday afternoon prison officials release several photos of Ladd, from 1997, 2002 and 2007.
The last time someone escaped from Tillery was in December 2007 when two inmates ran from the Odom Prison Farm and were caught two days later in South Carolina.
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Authorities are searching for inmate James Ladd who escaped a Halifax prison farm Sunday afternoon.
Officers say Ladd was operating a tractor outside the Tillery Correctional Center. The tractor was found abandoned just before Noon.
The 51 year old is serving three consecutive life sentences in connection with robbery and shooting deaths of two men on a Yadkin County farm in 1981.
Anyone who has seen Ladd, or has information on his whereabouts should call local law enforcement or Tillery Correctional Center at (252) 826-4165.
