BECKLEY, W.Va. — An inmate escaped custody on the West Virginia Turnpike Wednesday and is on the run.
Paul Ira Hopkins, 37, of Smithers escaped from a prison transport van carrying four other prisoners Wednesday afternoon, proceeded to steal a car, and is now on the run.
A prison transport officer from the Fayette County Sheriff’s Office was slowing down the vehicle on the West Virginia Turnpike at the North Beckley Toll Plaza just before the I-64/I-77 interchange when Hopkins managed to open the van door, jump out, leap the guard rail, and flee.
Hopkins apparently had slipped a hand from his handcuffs. He was last seen still with the handcuff on one hand along with leg shackles.
Hopkins is described as 5’9” and 160 pounds with short brown hair and green eyes, last seen wearing an orange inmate jump suit and flip flops from the Southern Regional Jail.
Police believe Hopkins stole a black Toyota scion with West Virginia tags reading 1KP163.
Hopkins had been sentenced to six months of confinement in the Southern Regional Jail, which is where the prison van was heading Wednesday, followed by a one-year sentence to the Fayette County Community Corrections Program following convictions for misdemeanor crimes of petit larceny and fleeing.
Smithers now faces two new charges: escape from custody and grand larceny in Raleigh County.
Hopkins is not believed to be armed, but should be considered dangerous.
The Fayette County Sheriff’s Office, Raleigh County Sheriff’s Office, and West Virginia State Police are involved in the search.