Police issue description, warning regarding escaped prison inmate with ties to Waterbury
July 24, 2020 | By Lisa Scagliotti
Shannon F. Edwards / Vermont State Police photo
UPDATE 1 P.M. FRIDAY
In a late-morning update on the search for an escaped inmate from the state prison in St. Johnsbury, Vermont State Police have issued a description and updated photo along with a warning that the individual could be dangerous.
A police news release just after 11 a.m. said that the search for Shannon F. Edwards, 35, was ongoing in various locations throughout Vermont including the St. Johnsbury and Middlesex-Waterbury areas.
Edwards is formerly from Waterbury and police said they think he may be headed to where he may have family or friends.
Police described Edwards as a white man, 5 feet 7 inches tall, weighing 185 pounds, with hazel eyes and brown hair. He was last known to be wearing a white long-sleeve T-shirt, dark gray sweatpants and white sneakers.
Edwards escaped from the Northwest Correctional Complex just before 1 a.m. Friday by scaling a fence. Police said he fled on foot.
St. Johnsbury barracks Commander Lt. Hugh O’Donnell said if anyone should see Edwards, “Use caution,” as he could be dangerous. “Stay away from him,” O’Donnell said in a briefing with reporters. “He has made verbal threats in the past to people he knows.” O’Donnell said Edwards posed “no direct threat” to the public but the fact that he is on the run from police is cause for caution.
Police ask that the public be on the lookout for Edwards and that anyone who believes they have seen him should call 911 or their local police department.
O’Donnell said the search and investigation involves police contacting family and friends and checking in at stores and public places where Edwards may have stopped. A warrant has been issued for his arrest on $200,000 bail, O’Donnell said. As of midday, O’Donnell said police had not yet received any relevant tips to help with the search.
Anyone with information that might lead to locating Edwards is asked to call the Vermont State Police in St. Johnsbury at 802-748-3111.
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ORIGINAL STORY
An inmate who escaped from the Northeast Correctional Complex in St. Johnsbury early Friday morning may be headed to Waterbury and police ask the public to be on the lookout for him.
At approximately 1:15 a.m. state police responded to the prison for a report of an escaped inmate.
Shannon F. Edwards, 35, had apparently scaled an exterior fence to escape, police said.
Troopers checked the area and involved a K9 officer to follow the scent trail but Edwards was not located.
Police in issuing a public notice about the escape said Edwards is believed to be travelling back to Waterbury, where he is originally from. The state police news release did not say whether Edwards was considered dangerous.
According to Department of Corrections records, Edwards was serving a sentence ending in October 2027 with the earliest release date in March 2022. He was convicted of multiple charges including four felony burglaries, other minor thefts, possession of stolen property in connection with incidents in Plainfield, Montpelier and Waterbury.
Anyone with information as to Edwards' whereabouts should call the Vermont State Police St. Johnsbury Barracks at 802-222-4680.