Search for escaped inmate Ronald McCoy continues

McCoy unaccounted for after routine inmate count Friday

FLORIDA CITY, Fla. – The search continued Saturday for a 39-year-old man who escaped from a South Florida prison, according to the Florida Department of Corrections.

Ronald McCoy, who is serving a life sentence after being convicted of robbery with deadly weapon in Alachua County, was unaccounted for after a routine inmate count Friday afternoon at Dade Correctional Institution, authorities said.

"The Florida Department of Corrections continues to work 24/7 with the Florida Department of Law Enforcement and local law enforcement to apprehend inmate Ronald McCoy," FDOC said Saturday.

McCoy was also convicted of crimes in Putnam County and is believed to have family in the Tampa area, authorities said.

FDOC said escape procedures were implemented Friday at Dade C.I. and multiple K-9 teams arrived there from nearby institutions to help in the search.

Five inspectors went to the institution to interview multiple inmates for information Friday.

"The (Department's Office of Inspector General) is now deploying additional investigative resources to Miami from around the state to support the investigation by providing information to FDLE and local law enforcement," FDOC said.

McCoy is 6 feet 3 inches tall, weighs 200 pounds, and has black hair and brown eyes. McCoy has a small scar on his neck and a tattoo on his left arm that says "Bicep Pysco."

Investigators said he may be traveling in a maroon 4-door Ford F550 truck with "Caribbean Tree Farm" signs on two doors. They said he may be also towing a yellow utility trailer.

The truck, which was stolen not far from Dade Correctional Institution, was last seen in the area of Southwest 390th Street and 192nd Avenue in Homestead.

Anyone who has seen McCoy or may know his whereabouts is asked to call 911.

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