CRANBERRY TWP., PA (EYT) – A Venango County Jail inmate is on the loose after police say he escaped while being treated at the UPMC Northwest Behavioral Health Unit Friday morning.
Franklin-based state police were dispatched to UPMC Northwest in Cranberry Township, Venango County, for an escaped prisoner around 4:45 a.m. on Friday, May 19.
According to state police based in Franklin, the suspect, 43 years old Bruce William Miller II, was transported to UPMC Northwest from the Venango County Jail by guards to receive medical treatment for a head injury. While receiving medical attention at the hospital, Miller was able to escape from the custody of the guards at approximately 4:40 am.
Miller fled on foot, out of the hospital and into a wooded area behind UPMC Northwest.
He is described as a non-Hispanic white male, 5’11” tall, 165 pounds with brown hair, brown eyes and a goatee. He has a crown tattoo on his neck and a laceration with stitches on his head. He was last seen wearing an orange jumpsuit from the Venango County Jail.
According to police, Miller has ties to the Franklin area. An active search is currently underway involving multiple law enforcement agencies, PSP aviation and canine units.
Miller was currently lodged in the Venango County Jail for criminal trespass (felony), resisting arrest (felony) and escape to avoid attention (felony).
Anyone with information is asked to contact PSP Franklin at 814-676-6596.
PSP Franklin is investigating the incident.
A Cranberry Area School District representative said exploreVenango.com the school is “taking precautions.”
“We are not in official lockdown, but the schools are closed,” the representative said. “We are not doing any lockdown drills; however, we are taking extra precautions.”
Oil City High School Principal Scott Stahl said Oil City police advised the district to go into a lockdown drill. A mock lockdown means the school will not allow anyone to leave or enter the building, and will conduct business as usual inside.
A representative from the Franklin School District superintendent’s office said explore Venango that the district is “contacting local authorities and assessing the situation.”
Stay with Explore for continued coverage of this breaking news.
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