Jessup Manhunt: Police Suspend Ground Search For Escaped Prisoner

JESSUP, MD — A man serving a 106-year prison sentence escaped Friday, and there have not been any sightings of him since his disappearance, police reported Saturday afternoon.

David M. Watson, 28, was en route Friday morning to Clifton T. Perkins Hospital Center for a mental evaluation related to his case involving the attempted murder of police officers in Wicomico County.
When the transport van from the Wicomico County Detention Center arrived at Perkins in Jessup, police said a guard opened the back door and Watson pushed the officer to the ground, then escaped at 9:40 a.m.

After searching with bloodhounds, K-9 units and helicopters using heat-seeking technology, the Howard County Police Department reported that it would be suspending its ground search.

"There are no indications that Watson remains in the area and there have been no sightings," police said in a statement before 5 p.m. on Saturday.

Police said that officers from Howard County, the U.S. Marshals and Maryland State Police are following up on leads locally, in Wicomico County and in Delaware, where Watson has ties.

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Watson was described as 5 feet 8 inches tall and 140 pounds. He has facial tattoos, including one between his eyes, and has been known to wear glasses. He has tattoos that say "Evil" on the back of his neck, "Watson" on his right inner forearm, "187" on his left forearm and "Sin" on his left hand, police said.

Authorities are offering a $5,000 reward for information regarding his whereabouts. Call 911 with tips.

Handcuffs and a waist chain were left at the scene of the van in the Perkins parking lot, according to authorities, who said two articles of his clothing were found in the woods.

Prior to his escape, Watson had been serving time in connection with the attempted murder of police officers in Delaware, authorities said.

He reportedly shot into the homes of officers and was sentenced to 106 years in prison. The shootings occurred in December 2012, and he was found not competent to stand trial in December 2014.

At the time of his escape, Watson was headed to Perkins, which is Maryland's forensic psychiatric hospital. Located on Dorsey Run Road in Jessup, the maximum-security facility was designed for those who have pleaded not criminally responsible to felony crimes or who may not be competent to stand trial. Perkins also accepts violent or aggressive patients from other state mental hospitals.

Photos courtesy of the Howard County Police Department.