Jonathan Dixon
SALISBURY, N.C. – Department of Public Safety and local law enforcement officers are searching for an inmate who escaped Monday morning from Piedmont Correctional Institution in Salisbury.
Prison officials discovered 27-year-old Jonathan Dixon missing from the prison’s minimum–security unit during a bed check about 4 a.m. at the Piedmont Correction Institution on Highway 29. Officials say the the last bed check before Dixon was discovered missing was at 11 p.m. the night prior.
Dixon is serving a maximum of seven years for multiple counts of breaking and entering, among other charges. He was due for release in June 2017. Dixon was serving his time in the lowest-possible level of security at the facility.
No surveillance cameras captured Dixon’s escape, authorities say.
A fugitive squad is actively looking for Dixon, while the facility follows escape protocols– interviewing inmates and employees, and going through documents and log books.
Dixon has family and friends living in and near Pitt County and may attempt to travel to that area.
Southeast Middle School and Knollwood Elementary School went on a “Code Yellow” lockdown Monday morning while authorities searched the area for Dixon. Law enforcement notified school administrators at 10:15 that it was okay to lift the lockdowns.
A “Code Yellow” lockdown means all doors to the school building are locked and secured, students do not leave the building and there are no outdoor activities, classes continue as usual and parents can enter the building, but all doors remain locked.
Anyone who has seen Dixon or has knowledge of his whereabouts should contact local law enforcement or call Piedmont Correctional Institution at (704) 639-7540.
