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As if inspired by events from the novel The Count of Monte Cristo, six inmates utilized a guard's two-way radio, a well-planned diversion and a short tunnel to a nearby warehouse in order to escape the state prison on the North Side.
The January 8th escape from the State Correctional Institution at Pittsburgh was carefully orchestrated to perfection, and sparked a major manhunt as well as calls for an investigation into the prison's security.
A tunnel about 30 feet long leading from a machine shop to a warehouse at the front of the prison was the meticulously made crux of the escape route. As soon as the inmates reached the warehouse, they were able to walk out a door, where it is theorized they walked across Beaver Avenue and stole a car.
Since then, police have responded to several sightings of the escapees during the night of their breakout. Prison spokesmen and police have both responded that the men at large are to be considered dangerous.
The 6-man entourage included two murderers. The men at large, all white men, were identified as:
- Carmen Keller, 36, from Lawrenceville, who in 1987 confessed to the choking and beating of a man to death over $6 and the keys to a car.
- George Conard, 66, who was convicted in 1982 of the shooting of a Harrisburg man.
- Andrew Heim, 26, a car thief from Castle Shannon.
- Thomas Berkelbaugh, 48, of South Park, convicted of armed robbery of the Century III Mall Foodland in 1985.
- Nuno Pontes, 30, who was serving up to 24 years for burglaries in several surrounding counties.
- Leslie Billingsley, 30, who was convicted in 1994 of aggravated assault, robbery and consipracy.
Police are hoping that a $1,000 per prisoner reward offered by Crime Stoppers may help
lead them to the six prison inmates.
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