Escaped Inmate Reportedly Spotted in Framingham: Update

CRANSTON, RI — The search continues for James Morales, a former U.S. Army Reservist who escaped a Rhode Island prison on New Year's Eve and was last known to be near Attleboro.

According to police investigators, he appears to have stolen a car from the parking lot of a Burger King in Attleboro. That car, a green Chevy Lumina with Rhode Island plates, was found in Framingham, according to multiple reports, including NECN, which reports the stolen car was found on Irving Street near Morales' ex-girlfriend's home in Framingham.

FOX 25 reports Morales was spotted on Gordon Street, while WHDH 7News shared an interview with a witness who claims to have encountered him at her front door. The woman told the station Morales knocked on her door New Year's Eve, appearing calm, "no stress, no nothing," in gray sweatpants and a black-hooded sweatshirt. She did not realize who he was at the time, she told WHDH.

Authorities have not confirmed either outlet's report.

Morales was in custody for the theft of weapons from a federal armory in Worcester, Mass., in 2015 and was awaiting trial. He reportedly escaped by scaling a basketball hoop and cutting through the prison's fence.

He is considered dangerous, according to Massachusetts State Police. He is approximately 6 feet, 175 lbs, with brown skin and black hair. He most likely has cuts or other injuries sustained during his escape. He is bald and has an eagle tattoo on the left side of his neck.

One prior address was in Cambridge. He also has connections to the Framingham area, as well as New York City.

Anyone with information on his whereabouts, or who thinks they see him, should immediately call 911.

Read the full story and get the latest information here.

Image via Mass. State Police

Reporting by Margo Sullivan, Patch staff