OSCEOLA COUNTY, Fla. — WFTV got a better look at the new evidence first revealed over the weekend in the hunt for escaped inmate Michael Rigby. U.S. marshals followed Rigby all the way to New Jersey only to hit a dead end.
Marshals hope, by giving the investigation national exposure over the weekend, it will help them nabbed the dangerous escapee.
Surveillance video captured wanted criminal Michael Rigby in Raleigh, North Carolina checking into a motel. The video shows Rigby park a car, then he and his girlfriend walk through the parking lot. The footage aired Saturday night on America's Most Wanted.
WFTV first reported about Rigby breaking out of the Osceola County jail February 19. Investigators said he pried open a toilet to escape. The manhunt to catch the fleeing inmate has now gone national.
WFTV contacted the Osceola County Sheriff's Office and found out it's no longer the lead agency in the investigation. If Rigby is found within the Sunshine State, chances are deputies would travel to bring him in. Otherwise, U.S. marshals are in charge.
U.S. marshals said Rigby went from Raleigh to Elizabeth, New Jersey, where they found his car. That's more than a 1,000 miles away from Kissimmee, where Rigby is a known gang leader and is accused of shooting Kim Rivera at a party.
Rivera would've talk to WFTV, but her neighbors did.
"He's gotta be dangerous. I don't want him around here," resident Caesar Rodriguez said.
"Do you fear for your safety?" WFTV reporter Q. McCray asked Rodriguez.
"Of course," he replied.
Marc Jennert watched America's Most Wanted.
"He claims no one will ever catch him. I laughed and said, 'Watch. You'll be caught in the next 48 hours, because you said that,'" Jennert said.
U.S. marshals said catching Rigby will be a challenge, because he's good at changing his appearance. He can switch from urban to sophisticate, but they're confident they'll have him behind bars soon.
Previous Stories: March 26, 2010: Bond Set For Jail Guard Accused Of Helping Escapee March 18, 2010: Officer Arrested, Accused Of Helping Escapee March 15, 2010: Lover's Diary Reveals Details About Escapee March 11, 2010: Escapee Left State, Video Found On YouTube March 2, 2010: Grandma Who Helped Jail Escapee Bonds Out February 23, 2010: Grandma Arrested, Escape Was Family Affair