He's dangerous & could be armed: Massive search underway for escaped prisoner

Jesus Arroyo

RACINE (WITI) -- Racine police are searching for a prisoner with belly chains who escaped from custody shortly before 1 p.m. on Monday, June 2nd. FOX6 News is learning this man could be connected to a case involving stolen cars, armed robberies, and possibly murder.

Police say the prisoner -- 36-year-old Jesus Arroyo was being transported to the Racine County Jail by a Department of Corrections agent on Monday afternoon.

Police say when the DOC agent attempted to escort Arroyo to the jail prisoner entrance, Arroyo took off running onto Wisconsin Avenue.

Arroyo was being held on a parole violation.

Arroyo is described as a Hispanic male. He is 5'9" and 220 pounds.

He was last seen wearing a sleeveless white T-shirt and shorts.

He had belly chains and handcuffs attached.

He has a ponytail and facial hair.

Arroyo should be considered uncooperative and dangerous.

The public should call 911 if they see this individual or have information of his whereabouts.

Racine Unified School District officials tell FOX6 News one school, Bull Fine Arts, was placed on lockdown at the advice of Racine police. The school's windows were shut and no one was allowed in or out. Other than that, the students had a normal school day.

Susan Moore said she was woken up from her nap at her home on Park Avenue near 14th Street on Monday afternoon as officials searched for Arroyo.

"Heard somebody shouting in the house -- saying 'come out, you in the house -- otherwise we're sending the dogs in at you and we're going to drag you out at gunpoint.' I was shaking and crying. I just popped out of bed, ran downstairs, looked out the window and there was officers. I looked and I saw the street blocked off," Moore said.

As of Monday evening, the search for Arroyo continues.

"We've got an eye in the sky and guys on the ground and we're looking as hard as we can," Racine Police Lt. Steve Sikora said.

Arroyo had previously been convicted of several felony offenses -- including first degree reckless injury, burglary to a building or dwelling, escape, and possession with intent to deliver THC.

FOX6 News can now link a story we brought you last week with Arroyo.

He was arrested in Milwaukee in connection with a case involving stolen cars, armed robberies -- and possibly murder.

Because of this, law enforcement officials believe him to be armed and dangerous.