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Deputies: Manhunt for inmate who escaped Lake County prison in stolen pickup discontinued

LAKE COUNTY, Fla. — A search was underway Thursday for an inmate who escaped from the Lake Correctional Institution, officials said.

Investigators were searching for Alinton John, 34, who has been at Lake Correctional Institution since 2009, according the the Florida Department of Corrections.

The Lake County Sheriff's Office told Channel 9 Thursday evening that it believes John is no longer in the area and could be in Orange County.

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Deputies said they've discontinued their search and turned over the investigation to FDOC's Office of the Inspector General. The Orange County Sheriff's Office said it isn't searching for John.

John was working on the outside grounds in the facility's motorpool shortly after 2 p.m. when he ran away, FDOC said.

Investigators said they believe John stole a 2001 silver Toyota pickup with Florida tag JHW C97.

Deputies said there is a possibility that there is a firearm in the stolen pickup, but the pickup's owner isn't certain there is one in the vehicle.

John, who was serving a 15-year prison sentence, was convicted in 2008 of aggravated battery with a deadly weapon in Orange County, according to FDOC records. He was scheduled to be released in 2023.

According to court documents, John pointed a gun at the mother of his two children and then pistol-whipped her during some kind of dispute in 2008.

The Sheriff’s Office was assisting prison officials, area police departments and troopers in the search.

Darrell Blankinsop, who owns an auto repair shop near the prison, said deputies warned him about John.

"I was a little shocked," he said. "We know the local law enforcement is real good, and they are going to take care of us, so (I have) nothing to worry about."

Inmates granted outside work detail are minimum or community custody inmates, and have had no recent disciplinary issues, FDOC said.

John was not a work release inmate, meaning he wasn't permitted to work in the community, the agency said.