EVANSVILLE — Despite more than a day of searching with K-9s, drones, helicopters and foot patrols, police in Henderson, Kentucky, have yet to locate escaped Ohio inmate Bradley Gillespie.
An update the Henderson Police Department published Thursday morning confirmed the search for Gillespie, 50, was “still ongoing.”
“We are continuing our efforts using a large amount of manpower and investigating all information we receive,” the department’s post states. “If a subject is seen matching Bradley Gillespie’s description, please contact 911 immediately and do not approach.”
Gillespie, who was convicted in 2016 of committing a double murder, reportedly escaped from the Allen/Oakwood Correctional Institution in Lima, Ohio, on Tuesday along with inmate James Marion Lee.
More:Convicted murderer at large after escaping Ohio prison; another escapee captured
The pair subsequently made their way to Henderson in a stolen car, according to police. Officers arrested Lee, 47, in Henderson early Wednesday morning, but Gillespie evaded capture.
Thursday afternoon, the Evansville Police Department said it did not have any information indicating Gillespie had made his way to Evansville, despite rampant online speculation.
Here’s what we know about the developing situation.
Search for Gillespie continues on Thursday; authorities release additional photos
Just after 3:15 a.m. Wednesday, HPD officers observed a stolen vehicle believed to be occupied by Gillespie and Lee.
Officers attempted to initiate a traffic stop, but Gillespie and Lee reportedly fled. Officers pursued the vehicle until it crashed on Camaro Drive – a residential street in central Henderson – where police said the two inmates then fled on foot.
- Police arrested Lee, who was reported to have been traveling with Gillespie, after the chase.
- Gillespie was able to evade capture and is still considered to be at large.
- Gillespie is reported to be 6 feet tall and weighs approximately 200 pounds.
HPD officials said they set up a perimeter around Camaro Drive Wednesday morning and were “using (the) resources we have to locate Bradley Gillespie.” By Wednesday afternoon, police activity around Camaro Drive had died down.
Thursday afternoon, the HPD released additional photographs of Gillespie, which can be viewed in the gallery below.
On Wednesday morning, search efforts broadened
At 9:15 a.m. Wednesday, Kentucky authorities said they established a command post at the Hayes Boat Ramp, where investigators reportedly recovered a piece of Gillespie’s clothing.
“The park is closed while multiple agencies assist in coordinating efforts to locate Bradley Gillespie,” HPD officials said. “Please avoid the area.”
By 1 p.m. Wednesday, a large law enforcement presence could be seen along Sunset Lane near Henderson’s Old Race Track. The heavily tree-covered area is intersected by gravel roads and is positioned near an industrial zone and the Ohio River.
Vehicles from multiple agencies, including city police and the county’s emergency management agency, were active in the area Wednesday afternoon. A police helicopter could be heard buzzing overhead.
The search for Gillespie remains active as of Thursday afternoon. Henderson police urged the community to remain “vigilant” and asked home and business owners to review “any home surveillance you may have since May 24th at 3:17 a.m.”
Police have instructed members of the public not to approach Gillespie, “as he is considered dangerous and possibly armed.”
“Lock your residence and your vehicles,” HPD spokesman Stuart O’nan wrote Wednesday evening. “Turn on exterior lights. If you see anyone matching the physical description of Bradley Gillespie, contact 911 immediately.”
Award offered for information leading to Gillespie’s arrest
In 2016, a Paulding County, Ohio, jury convicted Gillespie of murdering Hannah Fischer and Frank Tracy Jr. A judge sentenced him to serve two consecutive 15-year-to-life sentences.
The Allen County Sheriff’s Office – in accordance with other Ohio law enforcement agencies – has offered up to a $21,000 reward “for information that leads to the capture of Bradley Gillespie.”
This is a developing story and will be updated.