Shane Pryor, Philadelphia escaped prisoner, faces new charges after capture
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) - Shane Pryor, a 17-year-old prisoner who escaped custody at the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia last week, is facing new charges after he was recaptured after spending five days on the run.
The Philadelphia District Attorney's Office said Pryor has been charged with escape, aggravated assault, hindering apprehension and related offenses for his escape. Pryor is also charged with aggravated assault, terroristic threats and related charges for an alleged assault on a teacher inside the Juvenile Justice Services Center on Jan. 9.
Law enforcement took him back into custody Sunday night, ending a more than four-day search.
The U.S. Marshals Service found Pryor around 6:30 p.m. Sunday at 3rd Street and Roosevelt Boulevard.
U.S. Marshals said it happened when they pulled over a SEPTA bus and found Pryor on board. They said he did not resist arrest and was carrying a handcuff key.
"Put the key in, turn and opens the restraints," U.S. Marshals Service Supervisory Deputy Rob Clark said, "so it's definitely a piece of equipment that's of interest to us."
Investigators released a photo of Pryor from Friday, where he was spotted at a Northeast Philadelphia Target buying pants.
They said information from a Target employee was crucial in recapturing Pryor.
"Somebody at Target was that vigilant to say 'Hey, this guy kind of looks like him,'" Clark said. "We were able to interview that employee, we were able to do some other things. And ultimately, that led to the arrest."
Law enforcement said the teen was said to have gone to a secure facility as he awaits trial for the 2020 murder of Tanya Harris.
"We are grateful that Shane Pryor was apprehended without incident. We can confirm that Pryor is not being held at the Philadelphia Juvenile Justice Services Center (PJJSC). However, since this is an ongoing investigation, we cannot comment any further on the matter," a spokesperson for the Philadelphia DHS said.
Now that Pryor is back in custody, his defense attorney, Paul DiMaio, said he can continue his "vigorous defense" for the 17-year-old.
"Now that this is done, we can focus back on our job and that is to provide a vigorous defense on behalf of Shane. He's always maintained his innocence," DiMaio said.
DiMaio said he spoke with Pryor over the phone Sunday night after his capture. It's still unclear why the teenager ran, but DiMaio believes it could have to do with the fact he soon would go to an adult facility when he turned 18.
"I spoke to him, I asked him how he was, he said he was tired, frustrated – frustrated because he's turning 18," DiMaio said.
Pryor got to see his mother after being captured, DiMaio said.
"She was just relieved he was safe because he was taken without incident," he added.
