SalemNews.com, Salem, MA

June 25, 2008

Prisoner escapes outside courthouse


SALEM — A prisoner being transported to a court hearing escaped outside of Salem Superior Court this morning and took off in a car waiting outside.

Miguel Caraballo, 37, of Lawrence was still handcuffed and shackled when he escaped at 8:05 this morning while getting out of a van behind the courthouse. He got into a white Nissan driven by a woman. The car was found abandoned near the courthouse shortly afterward.

Caraballo is awaiting trial on charges of kidnapping and home invasion. He is also facing federal charges. He was being held on $100,000 cash bail.

Police and sheriff's deputies are canvassing the area.