JESSUP, MD - Nearly half a day after a man serving a 106-year prison sentence escaped from a van at Clifton T. Perkins Hospital Center, authorities are offering pictures and a reward in an attempt to bring him back into custody.

David M. Watson, 28, was being transported Friday morning to Perkins on Dorsey Run Road for a mental evaluation related to his case involving the attempted murder of police officers in Wicomico County. When the transport van arrived at Perkins, police said a guard opened the back door and Watson pushed the officer to the ground, then took off around 9:40 a.m. After 8 p.m., the Howard County Police Department announced there was a $5,000 reward for information regarding the whereabouts of the escaped prisoner. People should call 911 with tips.

Watson was described as 5 feet 8 inches tall and 140 pounds. 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.

When last seen, Watson was wearing white.



Helicopter and K-9 teams from several police departments have been searching but have not located Watson.

Handcuffs and a waist chain were left at the scene of the van, according to authorities, who said two articles of his clothing were found in the woods.

Watson had been serving time in Wicomico County in connection with the attempted murder of police officers, authorities said. He reportedly shot into the homes of officers and was sentenced to 106 years in prison. The shootings occurred in December 2012, and he was found not competent to stand trial in December 2014.

At the time of his escape, he was on the way to Perkins, which is Maryland's forensic psychiatric hospital. Located on Dorsey Run Road in Jessup, Perkins is a maximum-security facility for those who have pleaded not criminally responsible to felony crimes or who may not be competent to stand trial. Perkins also accepts violent or aggressive patients from other state mental hospitals.