(WPHL)- Philadelphia Police are questioning a man who they believe acted as a getaway driver for a teen murder suspect who escaped outside of the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia this week.
17-year-old Shane Pryor escaped from custody just before noon on Wednesday when he was being transported to the Children’s Hospital of Pennsylvania (CHOP) for a hand injury and was able to escape from a vehicle in the Emergency Room parking lot.
The U.S. Marshals released this surveillance video on Thursday:
Pryor was last seen at 11:56 a.m. in the lobby of the Hub for Clinical Collaboration building at CHOP. According to U.S. Marshals, Pryor asked an employee to use a phone, but he was denied and then left.
Police believe Pryor called an accomplice within an hour of escaping, who then picked him up in a car. By 12:29 p.m., police say Pryor got a ride out of University City.
Wednesday night, Police say they stopped a vehicle they believe was the getaway car to get Pryer out of the area. Police say Pryor was not in the car.
According to reports, police pulled over a tan Ford Fusion in Germantown and two people were being questioned by police. No charges had been filed against either person as of Thursday.
Authorities say a stolen Ford F-150, previously believed to be used by Pryor is no longer being sought as part of this investigation.
U.S. Marshals in Philadelphia have announced a $5,000 reward for information leading to Pryor’s arrest.
“Shane Pryor is a dangerous and desperate individual and we will use every available resource to bring him back into custody,” said Robert Clark, Supervisory Deputy U.S. Marshal. “Anyone who is found assisting him in his flight will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.”
Security video shows Pryor was able to go in and out of a few buildings in the area, said Deputy Commissioner of Investigations Frank Vanore. He also was seen talking to people, “asking for a phone … whatever he could do to leave the area,” he said.
Originally the U.S. Marshals Service in Philadelphia had released information on social media stating that Pryor may have been operating a stolen Ford F-150 with PA Tag ZTS-0503.
“We know from our investigation so far, looking at a lot of videos, that he was able to go in and out of a few buildings in this area,” Deputy Commissioner Frank Vanore told reporters. Pryor was seen talking to people “asking for a phone … whatever he could do to leave the area,” he said.
According to Pennsylvania Court Records obtained by PHL17, Pryor was arrested at just 14-years-old in October 2020 and is serving time on charges of Murder, Conspiracy, Carrying a Firearm Without a License, Carrying Firearms in Public In Philadelphia, Possession Of Firearm By Minor, Possession of an Instrument Of Crime With Intent, Recklessly Endangering Another Person.
Pryor’s defense attorney Paul DiMaio said his client “has always maintained his innocence,” even in his initial statement to police. DiMaio says in December a judge denied their bid to have the case moved back to juvenile court,. He says this could have motivated Pryor to run.
“He may have felt he wasn’t going to get a fair shake,” DiMaio said.
Pryor is described as 5’7″ and 180 lbs and was last seen wearing a blue sweater, blue sweatpants, and no shoes.
Police say Pryor was last seen in the area of University Avenue and Civic Center Boulevard.
Pryor’s mother, who doesn’t want to be identified, is pleading for her son to turn himself in. “
“Just turn yourself in so it don’t get any worse than it has to be… mommy is fighting for you, I’ll always be fighting for you,” she said.
Officials say Pryor is considered to be dangerous. Anyone with information is asked to call 911 or submit a tip at 215-686-TIPS (8477), or call the U.S. Marshals Philadelphia at 1-866-865-TIPS(8477)