Escaped Prisoner Taqwa Wilson Captured After Manhunt in Media, PA

MEDIA, Pa. (WPVI) — A prisoner who escaped from the Delaware County Courthouse on Thursday morning is back in custody after a brief manhunt. Taqwa Wilson, 22, fled around 8:30 a.m. while being transported from the George W. Hill Correctional Facility.

According to officials, Wilson escaped shortly after exiting a transport vehicle at the courthouse. Despite being in restraints, he managed to break free and run away. The restraints were recovered during the search following his escape.

Residents in the area were asked to shelter in place as local law enforcement, including the FBI and U.S. Marshals, conducted a search for Wilson. He was located at approximately 10:45 a.m. on Broomall Street, just a block away from the courthouse.

A witness described the scene, stating, “I heard someone jump over the fence and all of a sudden, there were 15 to 20 cops shouting to get on the ground. It was over in ten seconds.”

Wilson was scheduled to attend a jury trial for various charges, including fleeing police and receiving stolen property, this week. Sheriff Jerry Sanders confirmed that an investigation is ongoing into the escape, stating, “We will determine if there were any mistakes made, and how security may have been overlooked.”

Court proceedings continued as scheduled, with no interruption due to the escape.

According to the district attorney’s office, Wilson has a lengthy criminal record and will face additional charges related to the escape. Investigators are looking into the details surrounding how he managed to flee custody.