LUMBERTON, NC (WBTW) – A 13-year-old boy wanted for two counts of first-degree murder has escaped from social services in Lumberton.
Authorities released a photo of the suspect and identified him only as Jericho W. He had been housed at the Cumberland Juvenile Detention Center since Oct. 15 and was appearing in court on two counts of first-degree murder and robbery.
Officials said they have a high degree of concern for the safety of both the juvenile and the public, “due to a prior history of assaultive and unpredictable behavior.”
The teen is described as having brown eyes and brown hair, about 5 feet tall and about 110 pounds. He was last seen at the intersection of Highway 72 and Country Club Road in Lumberton wearing a white t-shirt, beige pants and leg restraints without any shoes.
Robeson County Sheriff Wilkins said the search will continue into the night if Jericho is not found. “Residents in the area of the Planetarium will hear low flying helicopters as darkness falls and dozens of officers are on the ground,” said Wilkins.
At around 9 p.m. the Robeson County Sheriff’s Office is saying that deputies have cleared the area of Planetarium Road and Highway 72 West. Deputies and investigators will continue to assist the NC Department of Public Safety to try and locate Jericho.
The juvenile was arrested along with Derrick Deshawn Hunt, 19, in Rowland in relation to the deaths of two brothers, Frank and Adam Thomas, Wilkins confirmed. The brothers were found deceased inside a home on Marigold Lane on Oct 15.
Anyone with information is asked to contact the RCSO at 910-671-3170 or 910- 671-3100.
Sheriff Wilkins says that “anyone assisting him (Jericho) with hiding or housing will be charged with a felony offense.”
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