HILLSBOROUGH, N.C. (WNCN) — Authorities are searching for Ramone Alston, 30, who escaped from Bertie Correctional Institution custody while heading to UNC Gastroenterology in Hillsborough to receive medical care, Orange County sheriffs say. • Prisoner escape search (Ben Bokun/CBS 17) • Prisoner escape search (Ben Bokun/CBS 17) • Prisoner escape search (Ben Bokun/CBS 17)

Alston is wearing a gray T-shirt, brown pants and white New Balance shoes. He was also wearing handcuffs connected to a belly chain with a black box over the junction.

Authorities say at 7 a.m. he freed himself from leg restraints and jumped out of the transport van upon arriving to the UNC hospital, and ran into the adjacent woods.

In the press conference Tuesday afternoon with the Department of Corrections, offic

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