By Jon Mayhew

LINCOLNTON -- Around 2:50 p.m. Monday, authorities are looking for a man who apparently has escaped from the sally port of the Harven A. Crouse Detention Center. Currently, authorities are looking for the unidentified man described as wearing a jacket and jeans.

Lincoln County Sheriff's Deputies and Lincolnton Police are searching the area behind the Lincoln County Animal Shelter, as well as behind the Carolina Motel on General's Boulevard. Authorities are trying to seal off the area and the suspect is handcuffed.

The suspect was last seen heading towards Wal-Mart and General's Boulevard. He has been spotted in the woods near the power lines and the creek at General's Boulevard.

Businesses in the area of McDonalds, China 1, and Abernethy Chevrolet have been alerted to be on the lookout for the escapee.

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The Lincoln County Sheriff's Department has requested the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department's helicopter to assist in the search.

G.E. Massey School has been placed on a lockdown. Although today is a teacher's workday, there are some students there.

A reverse 911 call, where disatchers notify residents and warns them of an incident, is calling residents from Wilma Sigmn Boulevard to Generals Boulevard and up to East Main Street of the escapee.

Just before 4 p.m. authorities apprehended the suspect near the Lincoln County School of Technology.

Stay with the Lincoln Tribune will have more on the story as details become available.