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Search continues for man who escaped from Chelsea Police

E-mail|Link|Comments () April 23, 2010 12:22 PM

By John R. Ellement, Globe Staff

An "extremely dangerous'' man who escaped Thursday from Chelsea Police remains at large today, authorities said.

Joel McDonald

Joel McDonald, 20, ran away from a police officer who was putting him in a cruiser to take him to Chelsea District Court. McDonald, who is facing charges he beat a man with a firearm this year, was handcuffed when he bolted from police, Chief Brian Kyes said today.

Kyes said investigators do not believe McDonald had an accomplice when he sprinted away, but now suspect that he must be getting some help because he has eluded an intensive search for him for the past 24 hours.

Kyes said McDonald lived in Chelsea for several years and still has connections to the city. He also said McDonald has links to people in Rhode Island where he was captured earlier this week.

He also noted that McDonald was wearing handcuffs, but not leg shackles when he escaped. He said McDonald's hands were cuffed in front.

"He has been at large for over 24 hours. That leads us to believe he stayed some place overnight,'' said Kyes. "So chances are, he's had the assistance of somebody.''

Kyes said that at the time of his escape, McDonald wore his hair in braids and that he kept his hair short. He said McDonald weighs about 140 pounds and is 5-foot-8.

McDonald also has tattoos on the inside of each forearm, and was wearing black clothing and a red t-shirt when he ran, the chief said.

"He should be considered extremely dangerous,'' Kyes said. "He is not to be confronted in any manner by anyone. Anyone who sees him should call 911 immediately.''

Kyes said his department makes 2,500 arrests each year and uses leg shackles on a case-by-case basis. He was confident McDonald would be located and recaptured and said officers will use leg shackles when they do.

Kyes said police around New England have been alerted to McDonald's escape.