The News Journal
Police and federal marshals continued to search today for a burglary, theft and solicitation suspect who escaped Friday when he was taken to a hospital for medical care.
Authorities continue to seek tips on the whereabouts of Calvin B. Harmon, 44, of Lewes, Department of Correction spokeswoman Gail Stallings Minor said today. Anyone who sees him or knows his whereabouts may call 911, Delaware State Police Troop 4 in Lewes at 856-5850 or the Sussex Correctional Institution at 856-5280, she said.
Harmon escaped from Department of Correction personnel at about 7:45 p.m., during treatment in the emergency room of Beebe Medical Center in Lewes, state officials say.
Prison officials have disclosed no details about his medical condition, what security was in place as he was treated, exactly how he escaped or whether they believe he had help fleeing.
Harmon was being admitted to the hospital, Stallings Minor said, and was changing from street clothes when corrections personnel discovered he was missing.
The prison department’s Emergency Response Team and Delaware State Police responded immediately, Stallings Minor said, and members of the Lewes Police Department joined the search.
“Teams are following up on leads that have come in over night,” Stallings Minor said.
Although Harmon has family in the Lewes area, she said, “were looking all over.” She declined to specify other communities to which the escapee may have links or where authorities might be searching for him.
Harmon was taken into custody early Friday on charges of felony theft, second-degree burglary, second-degree criminal solicitation, second-degree conspiracy, misdemeanor criminal mischief and a bench warrant, prison officials said. No details of his alleged offenses were released.
Harmon was taken into custody without incident and was not injured during his apprehension, Delaware State Police spokesman Sgt. Joshua A. Bushweller said today.
Troopers took Harmon to the hospital because “he became ill after his arrest,” Bushweller said.
His custody was transferred to corrections officials Friday morning, hours before his escape, Bushweller and Stallings Minor said.
In arraignment, Harmon’s bail was set at $34,000, Stallings Minor said, and the Department of Correction had received paperwork committing him to Sussex Correctional Institution after he failed to post bail.
Harmon’s flight is expected to carry a felony escape charge, according to Stallings Minor.
She said anyone who sees Harmon should be cautious. He was not armed at the time of his escape, she said, but “anytime you have somebody who’s running from police, you don’t want to say he’s not dangerous because you don’t know what they might do.”
Harmon was described as 5 feet 5, inches tall, 140 pounds, with black hair, brown eyes, pierced ears, facial scars and tattoos on his left arm. Stallings Minor said no description of his tattoos was available today.
Contact robin brown at 324-2856 or rbrown@delawareonline.com
