PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) — One of two inmates who escaped from Philadelphia’s Industrial Correctional Facility last weekend was arrested Thursday night, Action News has learned.
Sources confirm that Nasir Grant, 24, who was wanted on narcotics and weapons violations, was captured in North Philadelphia.
Police are still looking for 18-year-old Ameen Hurst, who is accused of killing four people.
Live updates here on 6abc.com and tonight on Action News at 11 p.m
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Police have charged a woman in connection with a prison break earlier this week in Philadelphia.
Xianni Stalling, 21, was arrested by U.S. Marshals in the 2800 block of N. 22nd Street in North Philadelphia on Wednesday and was arraigned Thursday morning.
Charges against her include felony hit and run, obstructing care and conspiracy.
The two inmates who were released from the Philadelphia Industrial Correctional Facility, Ameen Hurst, 18, and Nasir Grant, 24, remain at large.
According to Philadelphia police, there is evidence of communication between Stalling and Hurst, and investigators believe she aided in the escape.
Sources tell Action News that Stalling was actually an inmate at the same jail on a charge of attempted murder. She was released in February.
David Robinson, the head of the union representing PICC corrections officers, is familiar with Stalling’s background. He believes he might have met the inmates while behind bars.
“There’s a strong possibility that if they didn’t meet on the streets, they never would have even met if they weren’t housed on the exact same side of the prison,” Robinson said.
We asked Robinson how an inmate can communicate with someone outside. He says there are a few ways.
“They can get contraband with their cell phones, they have phone lines inside the institution, they also have video tablets,” he said. “So it’s a wide range of communication within these institutions.”
We asked if the phones are monitored. Robinson said, “They should be. Yes.”
Hurst was charged with four murders in Philadelphia, including the murder of Rodney Hargrove, who was shot and killed an hour after his release from the Curran Fromhold Correctional Facility.
Grant was wanted for narcotics and weapons violations.
Authorities say they cut a hole in a prison fence around 8:30 p.m. Sunday.
The prison didn’t realize the inmates were missing until 3 p.m. Monday, according to prison commissioner Blanche Carney.
U.S. Marshals and Philadelphia police have a combined $25,000 reward for information leading to the arrest of each escaped inmate.
Officials say if you see any of the inmates or know their whereabouts, call the police tip line at 215-546-TIPS or call 911 immediately.
Lost staff count
Carney says there were three counts that took place at 11pm on Sunday, 3am on Monday and 7am on Monday before learning of the escape.
It remains unclear how the missing inmates slipped under the radar.
Action News asked Carney if he believed anyone on his staff helped the escape or if it was a case of negligence.
She replied that we would have to wait for an official investigation.
Raise concerns
The Pennsylvania Prison Society has been concerned about this prison for years.
“There are very clear problems with the way the prison is run. We had 10 deaths in 2022,” said Noah Barth of the Pennsylvania Prison Society, who is the independent group’s director of prison monitoring.
He says he’s seen problems here for years. He last inspected this facility in the fall.
“The understaffing and mismanagement in Philadelphia’s prisons has manifested itself in dangerous and deadly ways every day,” Barth said.
Barth says the recent escape points to a lack of control behind these walls.
“The motivation to leave is obvious. Also, there has been a lack of oversight,” he says.
Staffing is reduced by around 40% at the prison.
In the meantime, police officers are asking the public to be careful with these people.
US Marshals and Philadelphia police have a combined $25,000 reward for information leading to the arrest of each escaped inmate.
Officials say if you see any of the inmates or know their whereabouts, call the police tip line at 215-546-TIPS or call 911 immediately.
