Law enforcement agencies are searching for 42-year-old Gastonia man Roy Williams Burgess Jr., who escaped Sunday afternoon from the Lincoln Correctional Center in Lincolnton. K-9 units are tracking the area near Hoyles Creek Road and Rhyne Road, and officers believe Burgess may already be moving through Dallas or Gastonia seeking help from acquaintances.

Burgess was serving a one-to-two-year larceny sentence and has nearly 20 years of low-level felony history. He escaped wearing a white thermal shirt and dark green prison pants and may be bleeding from cuts sustained during his escape.

He is described as 5’11”, 180 pounds, with brown hair, blue eyes, a beard, and several tattoos — including “BNG” on his neck.

Residents are urged not to approach him. Anyone with information should call 9

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