From staff reports

Pensacola News Journal

Update, 4:05 p.m.:

Philip James Hammac has been captured after absconding from an Escambia County road prison work crew Friday morning.

Several hours after his escape, Hammac was found off McLemore Street — still within Ellyson Industrial Park — and taken into custody without incident, according to a Sheriff's Office spokesperson.

Original story:

Ferry Pass Middle and Elementary schools have been placed on temporary lock down as law enforcement officers attempt to locate an inmate who escaped a county road prison work crew.

Deputy Superintendent Norm Ross said all school children were safe and accounted for, and the inmate was not on school campuses. He said the lock down was implemented as a precaution, per standard district policy.

A spokesperson for the Sheriff's Office said the escapee is Philip James Hammac, 44, a 6-foot white male with short grayish, brown hair. He was last seen in the Ellyson Industrial Park off North Davis Highway running away from his work group wearing an orange road prison jumpsuit.

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According to the county, Hammac escaped while the work crew and supervisors were picking up supplies from the county’s storage yard in the industrial park. Deputies and K-9 teams from the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office and the road prison are searching the area.

Hammac has not been sentenced and is being held on charges of burglary, larceny and possession of methamphetamines, according to a county news release. He has been at the Escambia County Road Prison since Oct. 16.

Anyone who sees Hammac is asked to immediately contact 911 or the Sheriff's Office at 850-436-9620.