RICHMOND, Va. -- Richmond Police are searching the Carver neighborhood for a prisoner who escaped from a police car near VCU on Monday afternoon.
On Monday, police picked up 38-year-old Ameer Ali, a Tidewater resident, from the Greyhound station on an outstanding drug charge.
"We were transporting him back to the Justice Center here in Richmond and as the officer passed through the Carver neighborhood on West Catherine St., Ali managed to kick his way out the back of the vehicle and escape. He was handcuffed at the time with his hands behind his back," Richmond Police spokesperson Gene Lepley said.
Ali was described as a light-skinned black male with short hair and a beard. He was last seen wearing a light blue shirt and blue jeans. He should still have his hands handcuffed behind his back.
Based on video from doorbell cameras, police believe the man has been able to move his handcuffs from behind his back to the front of his body
"People shouldn't try to approach him or engage him, just call 9-1-1," Lepley said.
