Prisoner Escapes from Transport Van in Waltham, Prompting Large Search

A dramatic escape from a transport van in Waltham, Massachusetts, on Monday night sparked a massive search effort involving multiple law enforcement agencies.

The incident unfolded around 6 p.m. when the Plymouth County Sheriff’s Department alerted State Police that one of their prisoners had broken free from a transport vehicle on Route 95 southbound near Exit 41 in Waltham, according to a spokesperson from the Massachusetts State Police.

After an intense search, authorities confirmed that the escaped prisoner was apprehended after 7 p.m. in the vicinity of Second Ave. and Bear Hill Rd.

Witnesses described the tense moments leading up to the capture, with one individual, Sam, recounting how he encountered the escaped prisoner. “I noticed immediately that he’s wearing handcuffs and I look a little more carefully and it’s like heavy-duty shackles and like a chain around his waist,” said Sam, who had just finished work at the MSPCA Veterinary Hospital in Waltham.

“I think he was asking to get in my truck or get in my van, and I kind of just threw my hands up and was like ‘I’m not helping you man, I can’t help you, I can’t help you.’”

Despite the tense situation, Sam managed to discreetly call 911 and inform authorities of the prisoner’s whereabouts. The escapee was later identified as Victor De Moura-Pereira, 20, of Framingham.

Officials disclosed that Moura-Pereira had been arrested by Framingham Police the previous day for multiple counts of assault and battery on a police officer. Following his escape, Moura-Pereira was transferred to the custody of US Immigration and Customs Enforcement due to a detainer placed on him by that agency, state police revealed.

This is an ongoing story. Stay tuned for further updates as more information emerges.

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