Sheriff: Be on alert for escaped prisoner

MERCER, Pa. -- The county sheriff's department is asking for the public's help in finding a prisoner who escaped police custody Tuesday while leaving Greenville Regional Hospital.
Eric Hayes, 28, of Greenville, also known as Howard, was leaving the hospital in a deputy's custody about an hour after surgery when he jumped out of a wheelchair and ran.
Sheriff Bill Romine said Hayes was in county jail for disorderly conduct, and he walked away from a halfway house several days ago. On Tuesday, he was apprehended by Hempfield Township police and was severely cut when he jumped through a window attempting to flee.
Greenville police had taken him to the hospital, where he underwent surgery to repair the wounds. He was being released into a deputy's custody for return to the jail when he escaped about 6:30 p.m.
Romine said deputies and Greenville, Hempfield and Pymatuning Township police are participating in the search for Hayes.
He is white, has blue eyes and short brown hair, is 5 feet 11 inches tall and weighs 160 pounds. He has a thin to medium build and tattoos on his arms. His injuries to both arms are evident, Romine said.
Anyone spotting Hayes should call 911. Romine said that though Hayes was convicted of a low-level offense, anyone who flees police custody is considered dangerous.