Accused killer Omar Roane escapes in Northeast Philadelphia

A 22-year-old prisoner charged with homicide escaped with two others from a Philadelphia police van on the way to a prison Saturday afternoon, injuring an officer and prompting a citywide manhunt, police said.

Omar Roane was one of three prisoners who forced their way out the back door of the van at 2:38 p.m. while it was stopped at Cottman and Frankford Avenues.

The two others were apprehended within 20 feet of the van, police said. One officer suffered an ankle injury.

Roane has a long rap sheet and was charged with the murder of Kyree Young, 17, during an alleged drug robbery in Southwest Philadelphia on June 9, 2009. He was arrested Friday on that charge, court records show, and his arraignment was scheduled for 8:30 a.m. Saturday. The van was on its way to the Curran-Fromhold Correctional Facility.

Roane had a court date set for Sept. 1.

In 2008, court records show, Roane was arrested on a charge of attempted murder.

Police said he is 5-foot-8, weighs 125 pounds, and has the following tattoos: "YHM" on the left side of his neck, two teardrops on his upper left cheek, and "RIP Rob" on his right hand. When he escaped, he was wearing tan shorts and a blue-green long-sleeve sweater.