JESSUP, MD — The U.S. Marshals Service is taking over as the lead agency handling the investigation into an inmate who escaped en route to Clifton T. Perkins Hospital Center last week, police said.

Howard County officers will be in Jessup Monday to check in with business owners and find out whether they have surveillance footage or have noticed any signs of break-ins from the weekend, according to officials. They will also pass out flyers with pictures of David M. Watson, the 28-year-old fugitive. The canvass comes after dogs, helicopters and officers have been searching for signs of Watson since Friday.

Watson, 28, was headed from the Wicomico County Detention Center to get a mental evaluation at the state-run psychiatric facility in Jessup around 9:40 a.m. on Friday when he allegedly pushed the Wicomico County officer to the ground as he was taken out of the van, then escaped. Handcuffs and a waist chain were left at the scene of the van in the Perkins parking lot, according to authorities.



Watson was described as 5 feet 8 inches tall and 150 pounds. He has facial tattoos, including one between his eyes, and has been known to wear glasses. He has tattoos that say "Evil" on the back of his neck, "Watson" on his right inner forearm, "187" on his left forearm and "Sin" on his left hand, police said.

"There have been no sightings or indications of him in the area," Howard County police said in a statement Monday.