'Turn Yourself In,' Urge Officials as Escaped Inmate Added to Mass. Most Wanted List

PROVIDENCE, RI — It's day four in the manhunt for a fugitive who escaped from a Rhode Island prison and was last spotted in Framingham, and Mass. State Police have now added James Morales to their "Massachusetts' Most Wanted" list.

In a press conference that provided few new details Tuesday, the U.S. Marshal's Service did have one clear message, and it was to Morales: "Turn yourself in."

Morales was added to Massachusetts' "Most Wanted" list Tuesday.

An updated "Wanted" poster from Mass. State Police advises that Morales, known to have a previous address in Cambridge and connections to Framingham, also has Somerville connections.

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Morales, a former U.S. Army reservist, escaped a federal prison in Rhode Island on New Year's Eve and was last known to be near Attleboro, according to authorities. Multiple subsequent reports, including from the Framingham Police Department, have placed him in Framingham, but Massachusetts and Rhode Island state authorities would not confirm that information during their press conference.

"Our immediate priority is to find James Morales and get him off the street. Mr. Morales has the potential to be dangerous," Rhode Island officials said Tuesday afternoon. "We know that he is a dangerous individual. We are very careful to note that he may be armed."

Officials there, in a press conference, would not discuss the evidence assembled in the case so far and conceded few specifics, including where he is being sought.

According to police investigators, Morales stole 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. Framingham Police also reported he was seen downtown there on New Year's Eve.

Morales reportedly escaped prison by scaling a basketball hoop and cutting through the prison's fence. He is considered dangerous, according to Massachusetts State Police.

He was in custody for the theft of weapons from a federal armory in Worcester, Massachusetts, in 2015 and was awaiting trial. The updated Wanted poster additionally details past charges for aggravated rape of a child, rape of a child with force, and assault and battery of a child.

On Tuesday, the U.S. Attorney's Office in Providence charged him with escaping from the Attorney General's custody. According to the WPRI, he is facing up to five years in prison plus a $250,000 fine.

Morales is approximately 6 feet, 175 pounds, 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.

Authorities ask that anyone with information regarding the whereabouts of Morales contact the U.S. Marshals Service at 1-800-336-0102.

If anyone encounters Morales, authorities urge that they do not approach him and call 9-1-1 immediately.

Image via Mass. State Police

Editor's Note: Patch has updated this story to clarify that Morales has been charged with, not convicted of, aggravated rape of a child, rape of a child with force, and assault and battery of a child.