LEXINGTON, N.C. — Authorities say an escaped jail inmate is dangerous after he put a detention officer in the hospital.
The Davidson County Sheriff's Office said Sunday that 23-year-old Benjamin Lee Small of Thomasville attacked the female guard, ran from the Lexington jail and got away despite a foot chase by fellow detention officers.
Authorities say the jailer suffered serious injuries late Saturday that are not life-threatening.
Small was being held ahead of a court appearance next month for charges including felony breaking and entering. State prison records show Small has been sentenced to probation on previous convictions including for larceny.
Small is white, stands 5 feet, 1 inch tall and weighs about 135 pounds. He has brown hair, hazel eyes and fair skin with tattoos on his left and right arms.
Read more top trending stories on wsoctv.com:
- Closures begin Monday for Mint Hill roundabout construction
- 79 now believed to have died in London high-rise fire
- 21-year-old found shot to death near playground in west Charlotte
- CMPD: Driver hits, kills man in west Charlotte, drives off
- WATCH: MONDAY FORECAST: Afternoon storms, humidity an issue for this afternoon
- Strange creatures discovered off Australian coast
Cox Media Group