Police said they have narrowed their search Monday for the man who escaped from the Ross County jail on Saturday.
John W. Parsons escaped from the jail at about 1 p.m. Saturday, NBC 4 reported.
Authorities said they believed Parsons is hiding in a wooded area, less than 10 miles from the jail.
Search crews said they have focused their efforts on the northeast portion of the 7-mile search area, NBC 4 's Erin Tate reported.
At least two people and a sheriff's deputy said they saw Parsons riding a bicycle into woods near state Route 28 and McDonald Hill Road.
Investigators said they found pieces of Parsons' clothing in the woods on Monday.
Crews said they will continue to search the area through Monday night using whatever means necessary, but they still need help from the public.
In fact, officials said, a tip from a friend of the inmate was what led them to the wooded area.
"The individual came to us at about 11 p.m. on Saturday night and said he had been to his residence and gave us certain directions where he was walking," Nichols said.
Parsons, 35, of Frankfort, is accused of killing Chillicothe police Officer Larry Cox in 2005.
Authorities said Parsons made a rope out of toilet paper and bed sheets, and hid them in a hole he dug out of a section of concrete in his jail cell. Parsons then replaced the block of concrete and used toothpaste to replace the mortar.
Another inmate told authorities that Parsons scaled down an outside recreation area wall and crawled underneath razor wire. He then jumped onto a lower-level roof and onto an inmate transportation garage before running away.
Sheriff's deputies said they thought Parsons then stole a bicycle to make his getaway.
"I came out and the bike was gone," said Tracey Rinehart, the bike's owner.
Rinehart said she had even joked about having the bike stolen before it actually happened.
"I said, 'Watch, John Parsons will be out there and knock me off my bike and take it,'" she said.
More than 100 officers, a helicopter and airplane were being used in the search in 90-degree temperatures, along with police dogs.
"There's no question our escapee was here," said Sheriff Ron Nichols. "We have no reason to believe that he's got out of the area due to the fact that there's been nothing reported or sightings."
A nearby resident said she saw a suspicious man in the area, and notified police immediately.
"It would appear that he's darting out, seeing law enforcement and darting back into the woods," Nichols said.
Late Monday afternoon, investigators said, bloodhounds picked up on several scent trails, leading officials to believe that Parsons may be on the move.
"We saw footprints in and out of the creek, so we know he was down in there," Marvin Hixon of Gahanna police. "We know we're on the right track."
Parsons was believed to be wearing a pair of blue jail-issued trousers and either a white T-shirt or Polo shirt.
Police said Parsons killed Cox on April 21, 2005. Cox, 44, was shot in the neck during a police pursuit of a man who was suspected of robbing a gas station and stealing a car.
Parsons was later indicted on four counts of aggravated murder; one count each of aggravated robbery, tampering with evidence and having a weapon while under disability; and two counts of grand theft.
He is scheduled to go to trial for Cox's slaying in October, NBC 4 reported.
Cox was walking home from his parents' house when he got involved in the pursuit, police said. He was off duty and was not in uniform.
Police said Cox observed the suspect fleeing and saw officers pursuing the man. Cox joined the pursuit and eventually confronted the suspect in an alley between Chestnut and High streets in Chillicothe. During the confrontation, Cox was shot and killed.
Cox had served with the Chillicothe Police Department for 19 years and served as one of the city's DARE officers at the time of his murder.
Parsons spent three and a half years in prison for aggravated robbery and breaking and entering. He was released in 2001, NBC 4 reported.
SOURCE
Most Wanted Fugitive in America 
Previous Topic
Index
