Range of Charges Lodged Against Edgecombe Escapee

TARBORO, N.C. — An Edgecombe County jail inmate who led authorities on a vehicle and foot chase after escaping during a hospital visit now faces charges that range from fleeing and eluding arrest to running a red light.

Austin Reid Pittman, 26, was captured at the edge of woods in eastern Wilson County, several hours after he slipped away from a guard during a visit to Pitt Memorial Hospital and made off in a painting company's truck.

Wednesday, the Edgecombe County Sheriff's Office said Pittman was being held on a new $50,000 bond on charges of fleeing and eluding arrest with a motor vehicle, possession of a stolen motor vehicle, reckless driving and endangerment, driving while his licensed was revoked, failure to stop for a red light and failure to stop for stop sign or flashing red light.

When he was taken to the hospital, Pittman was being held in the Edgecombe County Detention Center pending an April court appearance on a charge of being a felon in possession of a firearm.

Pittman got away after being allowed to go to a restroom, authorities said.

Authorities from Pitt, Nash and Edgecombe counties, the state Highway Patrol and officers from Rocky Mount, Pinetops and Sharpsburg chased Pittman from Greenville to Rocky Mount to Tarboro to Pinetops and Macclesfield. the painting company's van was found at the edge of some woods west of the Pitt County town of Fountain, and officers apprehended Pittman about a mile and a half away.

Pittman was one of two men charged two years ago with a series of car break-ins in Wake, Wilson and Edgecombe counties.

Knight said the deputies guarding Austin Pittman were being questioned about the escape.