Authorities in North Carolina are looking for a “dangerous” inmate who escaped through a jail’s ventilation system Sunday.
John Matthew Nigh, 37, remains at large after he managed to run away through a ventilation system from the Craven County Jail in New Bern.
Corrections officers realized Nigh was missing at 4 p.m. Sunday. The Craven County Sheriff’s Office added that Nigh’s cellmates helped cover up his escape.
“A search determined that the inmate, assisted by his two cellmates, had removed a ceiling grating, entered a utility ceiling chase, and exited the roof through a ventilation housing,” the office said.
“The cellmates concealed his escape by stuffing a mattress, making it appear that he was sleeping in his cell.”
Investigators revealed Tuesday that they received information on the escapee’s whereabouts but the manhunt remains active.
The North Carolina State Bureau of Investigations and the U.S. Marshals Service’s Fugitive Task Force are involved in the manhunt.
Nigh was arrested in June 2024 after he allegedly fired two rounds at three deputies in Onslow County while wanted for several offenses including larceny in Pamlico County.
Although failing to hit any of the deputies, he was arrested on attempted first-degree murder, assault on a law enforcement officer, and possession of a firearm by a felon.
He is described as standing 6 feet 2 tall, weighing around 190 pounds with two tattoos on his upper arms.
