Inmate walks away from work crew van
An inmate with less than 18 months remaining on a prison sentence for distributing drugs walked away from a transport van at the Metropolitan Transition Center on Forrest Street yesterday afternoon, according to Maryland correctional officials.
Officials are looking for Gerard Damon, 25, who was serving a three-year term and had been housed in a minimum-security section of the prison complex north of downtown, between East Madison and Eager streets.
He was last seen wearing a gray Division of Correction jump suit with "MTC" written in white on the back. No other description was available.
Mark Vernarelli, a prison spokesman, said Damon was returning from a road crew assignment when he walked away after getting off a van at the prison complex.
Inmates who work on road crews are minimum-security inmates with little time left on their sentences, Vernarelli said. "They are not required to wear shackles or handcuffs and are authorized to work supervised job assignments in the community," Vernarelli said in a statement.
Damon was sentenced to prison last year and was scheduled to be released before the fall of 2009. Vernarelli said the suspect could face new charges once he is caught.
Woodlawn shooter described
Police yesterday released a description of one of three men wanted in a November shooting in Woodlawn.
A 46-year-old man was shot shortly before 8 p.m. Nov. 14 at Windsor Boulevard and Townbrook Drive, authorities said. The victim was inside his vehicle when he was approached by three men, one of whom pulled a handgun from his waistband and demanded the victim's cell phone and money, then shot him in the chest, police said.
The three men ran away on foot. The victim was taken to Sinai Hospital with a nonlife-threatening gunshot wound, police said.
Police have created a sketch of the gunman, who is described as 5 feet 9 inches to 6 feet tall, slim to medium build, with gold front teeth with a design on them. The man was wearing a red bandana.
Anyone with information was asked to call county police at 410-307-2020 or Metro Crime Stoppers at 866-756-2587. Callers to Metro Crime Stoppers can remain anonymous and might be eligible for a reward.
Ellie Baublitz
Man charged in child porn case
A 43-year-old secretary at the Division of Parole and Probation Office in Aberdeen has been charged with one count of possession of child pornography, authorities said yesterday.
