TALLADEGA, Ala. – Local authorities are still on the lookout for an escaped Lauderdale County inmate that could be in Talladega County.
Officials say Christopher Wayne Kilpatrick escaped from the Lauderdale County Detention Center on Saturday, April 8. Kilpatrick was taken into custody last August after trying to kill a law enforcement officer in Florence. He was awaiting trial when he escaped.
Kilpatrick is described to be a six feet tall while male that weighs 160 pounds. He is considered armed and dangerous.
Talladega County Sheriff Jimmy Kilgore told SylacaugaNews.com there have been multiple reports of Kilpatrick sightings in the lower Talladega County area and the Fayettveille area. “There have been quite a few people who saw his face on the news or internet that have recognized him,” said Kilgore. “When we spoke to the people who made the reports, they were sure that they saw Kilpatrick.”
According to Kilgore, witnesses said the man they thought was Kilgore was seen driving a maroon van. After the reports, the Talladega County Sheriff’s Office contacted the Lauderdale County Sheriff’s Office about Kilpatrick’s means of transportation, and they said Kilpatrick was indeed traveling in a stolen maroon Dodge Town and Country mini-van with the license plate 41BM961. The van is said to have damage on the passenger side.
“Enough of the pieces are fitting together to make all of the Kilptarick sightings seem credible,” stated Kilgore. “We have been searching the area, and we are still encouraging anyone who thinks they may have seen him to contact us and let us know.”
Since the initial sightings, no further reports of Kilpatrick being anywhere in Talladega County have been made. Kilgore said this is no reason to let your guard down. “We have to be careful with a situation like this,” Kilgore said. “With his history of violence and with him being an escapee, we must consider him armed and dangerous. Everyone needs to be cautious.”
If you have any information regarding the whereabouts of Kilpatrick, Kilgore urges you to contact the Talladega County Sheriff’s Office at 256-761-6117.
Jeremy Law for SylacaugaNews.com | © 2017, SylacaugaNews.com/Marble City Media LLC. All Rights Reserved.