CINCINNATI -- A man who escaped FBI custody near Fountain Square around noon Thursday is still missing.
Mekahale Lamb, 31, is described as 5 feet 7 inches tall and 160 pounds with tattoos on his neck. He was wearing a gray hoodie and salmon pants when he escaped at Fifth and Walnut streets at about 11:45 a.m., Cincinnati Police Lt. Steve Sanders said.
After viewing surveillance video, police said Lamb was able to get out of his handcuffs. Authorities are not sure how he was able to do this.
Matthew Bertron, a representative from the FBI National Press Office, said there are no statistics in regard to individuals escaping FBI custody since it is an “extremely rare occurrence.”
Cincinnati police have not said what charges Lamb faces, but the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction's website states he was charged with two counts of having a weapon under disability and one count of drug trafficking in 2013 -- all felonies.
An all-county broadcast alert has been issued to find Lamb. Cincinnati police have contacted authorities in areas of Northern Kentucky advising them to remain alert in case Lamb has crossed the bridge into Kentucky.
Between the FBI and the Cincinnati Police Department, about 50 officers spent Thursday looking for Lamb and interviewing potential witnesses. Search efforts continued through the night and into Friday.
A statement released by the FBI said Lamb should be considered dangerous and should not be approached.
Officers expect Lamb may have changed his appearance. Cincinnati police are asking the public to be on the lookout for tattoos on his neck and upper body.
Anyone with information regarding his whereabouts should contact the FBI at 513-412-4310 or call 911.
WCPO is following this story and will update information as soon as it becomes available.
