Escaped North Carolina inmate has history of trying to flee law enforcement
2025-01-29
Category: america

A "dangerous" inmate who is on the run Wednesday after fleeing a North Carolina jail with the help of his cellmates has a history of trying to evade law enforcement, including one incident in which he "fired two rounds from a small-caliber handgun at three deputies," authorities say.&nbsp; John Nigh — whose criminal history includes violent charges and spans multiple counties — is being pursued by the Craven County Sheriff's Office, the&nbsp;U.S. Marshal’s Fugitive Task Force and other agencies following his escape from the Craven County Jail on Sunday afternoon.&nbsp; "A search determined that the inmate, assisted by his two cellmates had removed a ceiling grating, entered a utility ceiling chase, and exited the roof through a ventilation housing," the Craven County Sheriff’s Office said. "The cellmates concealed his escape by stuffing a mattress, making it appear that he was sleeping in his cell."&nbsp; "Nigh has been armed in past encounters with Law Enforcement Officers and should be considered dangerous," it warned. LOS ANGELES WILDFIRES REKINDLE ‘ECO-TERROR’ ARSON SUSPECT MANHUNT AFTER FAKE FIREFIGHTERS ARRESTED&nbsp;  In one encounter in June 2024, the Onslow County Sheriff's Office said Nigh fired at its deputies while trying to evade arrest.&nbsp; "Nigh was wanted by the Pamlico County Sheriff’s Office for two felonies and one misdemeanor, including Breaking and Entering a Motor Vehicle, Felony Larceny, and Unauthorized Use of a Motor Vehicle. Nigh was located at a residence in the Hubert area," it said at the time. &nbsp; "However, when deputies approached, Nigh attempted to evade arrest by fleeing out the back door of the home and into a wooded area. Upon physical contact, Nigh fired two rounds from a small-caliber handgun at the three deputies," it added. "Fortunately, none of the deputies were struck. Nigh was subdued and taken into custody without further incident."&nbsp; Nigh later was charged with three counts of Attempted First-Degree Murder and Assault on a Law Enforcement Officer by Pointing a Firearm in relation to that incident.&nbsp; ESCAPED ALABAMA INMATE CAPTURED MORE THAN 600 MILES AWAY AT BUC-EE'S IN TEXAS&nbsp;  In May 2024, Nigh was facing charges in Craven County including drug possession, resisting an officer and assault on an officer involving fentanyl exposure, according to WCTI.&nbsp; The station reported that at one point, Nigh tried to escape from a Craven County Sheriff's Office deputy while in custody and that he also has been accused of causing $200 in damage to property owned by the CarolinaEast Medical Center.&nbsp;  CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP&nbsp; Nigh is described as a White male around 6 feet 2 inches tall, weighing 190 pounds. The Craven County Sheriff’s Office said he has tattoos with the letters "JMN" on his upper left arm and a cross on his upper right arm.&nbsp;