Photo: TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF CRIMINAL JUSTICE / Courtesy
The reward for the arrest of convicted Texas murderer, Gonzalo López, came to $ 50,000 after his escape more than 48 hours, when he managed to free himself, assault the driver of a prison bus and escape from custody, reported the authorities.
The officials believe that the inmate is still is in Leon County and that his escape was premeditated. In addition, it is being investigated whether other inmates or prison staff helped him escape.
Lopez is serving a life sentence for capital murder in Hidalgo County and attempted of capital murder in Webb County.
Of years, the convict was on a prison transport bus en route from Gatesville to Huntsville for a medical appointment when he escaped in Leon County on Thursday, the Texas Department of Criminal Justice said.
Two officers were inside the vehicle, one in the front and one in the back, which was armed with a shotgun, spokesman Robert Hurst of the Department of Justice.
“He was somehow able to free himself from his shackles and enter the driver’s compartment of the bus,” the spokesman said. The inmate cut the bottom of a door that separates inmates from the driver, he added.
Lopez allegedly attempted to take the driver’s service weapon, but was unable to remove it from the holster, Hurst said.
During the struggle, the officer who was driving the transport fired two shots at the wheels behind the bus, so the prisoner managed to drive the vehicle for about a mile on flat tires before crashing. Lopez jumped off the bus and fled, the department representative added.
Dog teams were deployed to search a 4 mile perimeter beginning where the convict escaped after crashing on Highway 7 in Centerville. Authorities believe he was able to escape his restraints with a homemade knife.
“Lopez is a dangerous individual,” said Jason Clark, chief of staff of the Texas Department of Criminal Justice. “He has a disregard for human life. That is obvious from his convictions, and it is obvious from his escape, but I can tell you that TDCJ will not rest until López has been captured.”
Since his disappearance, Clark commented that the police received calls from local residents who believe they have seen López near their homes.
He also said officials saw the inmate under a tree Thursday after he fled, but have been unable to locate him since.
“We know from Lopez’s history and his previous attempts to get away from law enforcement, that he will stay put and hidden in hopes that law enforcement will move to a different area, but I can tell you no. we will move Clark said. “López will be in custody again.”
Also read:
Shooting in Chicago’s Millennium Park leaves a teenager dead and two injured in the Loop Prosecutors say Hispanic California police officer who masturbated during an incident at a house “got interested” in a young woman who was there
Suicide officer Vicky White went shopping at a sex shop before eloping with convicted murderer