AP and staff reports

SUMMIT, Ky.

Wednesday, January 24, 2001

SUMMIT, Ky. – Authorities searching for an inmate who escaped from the Federal Prison Camp say the Ohio man may have stolen a sport-utility vehicle shortly after fleeing the facility.

Prison camp officials said they learned of the disappearance of Harry Teal of Hamilton, Ohio, during a headcount Tuesday.

The Ironton Police Department was notified, issuing a description: white male, six-foot-one and 200 pounds, originally wearing black and green.

Teal, 30, was serving a 36-month sentence at the minimum-security camp for a parole violation. He had been convicted of bank fraud, said Trooper Gary Kistner, spokesman for the Ashland post of the Kentucky State Police.

Police believe Teal may be driving a white 1993 Jeep Grand Cherokee stolen Tuesday morning in Ashland.

Ashland police said that Teal went to a car lot Tuesday morning and asked to test-drive the vehicle. A salesman went with him.

Teal drove to a bank parking lot. When the salesman got out to buy cigarettes at a nearby business, Teal drove off, Ashland police said.