Lewisbury, PA - Handcuffed Shackled Robbery Inmate In Orange Jumpsuit Steals Constable's SUV - Escapes With Handcuff Key

Manhunt underway after prisoner escapes constable's custody
For The Evening Sun
Posted: 02/27/2009 10:45:23 PM EST


After a struggle at a traffic light, a handcuffed prisoner drove off in a constable's vehicle Friday morning in Lewisberry, police said.
A two-state manhunt is now under way to find Erik Peterson, 37, of Hummelstown.

Just after 8 a.m. Friday, Peterson was being transported to a preliminary hearing in Lewisberry before York County District Justice Scott Gross.

While constable Larry Brunner was stopped at a traffic light at Route 177 and Yorktown Road, Peterson kept trying to climb over the seat of a 2007 Ford Freestyle, police said.

When Brunner got out of the car to get Peterson under control, Peterson jumped over the seat and drove away, according to Fairview Township Police Chief Bernard Dugan.

Peterson was still wearing his orange York County Prison jumpsuit and had handcuffs and leg cuffs when he was last seen driving south on Interstate 83 near exit 34, police said.

Brunner was not injured. While Peterson is not believed to be armed, Dugan said, the prisoner is considered dangerous given the charges he faces and that he escaped. Peterson was to appear on charges, filed by Newberry Township

Police, of robbery, fleeing and eluding police, reckless endangerment, terroristic threats, unlawful restraint and simple assault. The charges are in connection with a Jan. 8 incident in Newberry Township.

Peterson was being held at York County Prison in lieu of $500,000 bail. He is described as 5-foot-7 with brown hair and some facial hair.

Police have alerted law enforcement in south central Pennsylvania and Maryland. The U.S. Marshals Service and FBI also are involved in the search.
 

A member of the public last reported seeing Peterson turning left at the Newberrytown exit of Interstate 83.
 

Anyone with information is urged to call York County 911, Pennsylvania State Police at 428-1011 or Fairview Township Police at 901-5267.
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