Federal marshals join Philadelphia manhunt for accused killer who escaped police van

Federal marshals joined the manhunt on Sunday for an accused murderer who bolted from a Philadelphia police van as he was being transported to prison.

At least a half-dozen marshals were working with police and other investigators to find Omar Roane, 22, according to John Patrignani, the acting U.S. marshal in Philadelphia.

The assistance is provided through the U.S. Marshals Service fugitive task force, an initiative that works with local police to hunt down suspects.

Patrignani was reluctant to make any predictions about capturing Roane or to speculate about whether he was still in the area.

"We're at least 24 hours behind him," he said.

Police picked up Roane on Friday and charged him with the June 2009 killing of 17-year-old Kyree Young during an alleged drug robbery in Southwest Philadelphia.

Officers were taking Roane and other prisoners to the Curran-Fromhold Correctional Facility on Saturday afternoon when the men forced open the back door of the van while it was stopped at Cottman and Frankford Avenues in Northeast Philadelphia, police said. Officers quickly nabbed two of the three escapees, but Roane got away.

Philadelphia Police Lt. Frank Vanore said Sunday police were pursuing fresh leads in hopes of quickly catching Roane.

Police described Roane, who is African American, as standing 5 feet, 8 inches tall and weighing about 125 pounds. He has "YHM" tattooed on his neck, teardrops on his left cheek, and "RIP Rob" on his right hand. He was wearing tan shorts and a long-sleeve sweater when he escaped.

They also said he was dangerous.

"He was able to open that door, which is a pretty tough thing to do," Vanore said. "We want to get him back so no one else gets hurt."