En route from Florida, prisoner escapes from van

A prisoner en route from Florida to Philadelphia disappeared in the darkness, and authorities said today they are not sure where he escaped from the private transport van.

Sylvester Mitchell, 33, was wearing bright orange prison garb, and shiny handcuffs and leg shackles when he slipped away early this morning.

Mitchell, whose last known address in the city was in the 100 block of Nedro Avenue in Olney, is wanted here for attempted murder and aggravated assault. He is also known to frequent neighborhoods in West Philadelphia, North Philadelphia and Germantown.

"He's a dangerous felon," said Capt. Sharon Seaborough of Central Detectives. "If people know where he is, they need to contact us because they're putting themselves in danger."

It's unclear whether Mitchell fled from a van in Center City or in Annapolis, Md., where workers from a private transportation company last saw him.

Mitchell went on the lam in June after a shooting in the 5200 block of Wynnefield Avenue in Southwest Philadelphia, where he allegedly shot two men he accused of robbing him.

He fled south, police said, adding that they were notified recently that Mitchell was in custody in Fort Lauderdale, Fla.

Prisoner Transportation Services of America LLC, based in Tennessee, was contracted to bring Mitchell and at least one other prisoner back to Philadelphia.

The van headed north, stopping for a break in Maryland. PTS workers told Philadelphia police they were sure Mitchell was still cuffed, shackled and in the van.

The van next stopped at the Ninth District in Center City about 3 a.m. today to drop off the other Philadelphia prisoner. At that point, transportation officials said, they discovered that Mitchell, who was scheduled to be handed over to authorities in Southwest Philadelphia, had disappeared.

Ryan Whitten, PTS director of operations, said the company had no comment.

Mitchell is 5-feet-10, 185 pounds with a dark complexion. He is clean shaven, has short hair and speaks with a Jamaican accent. Anyone with information can call Central Detectives at 215-686-3094 or Southwest Detectives at 215-686-3183.