INDIAN RIVER COUNTY — Escaped Indian River County Jail inmate Rondell Reed might have stolen a Dodge pickup truck in Sebastian, Sheriff Deryl Loar announced Thursday morning. Authorities were advised of the stolen vehicle overnight and a “be on the lookout” alert has been issued.
The vehicle was reported stolen Wednesday, two days after the successful jailbreak. The truck has not yet been recovered.
Sheriff Loar said the truck is the only reported stolen vehicle from Indian River County since the escape, which leads investigators to suspect it might have been used by Reed.
The truck was taken from a business located at the 1600 block of US 1 in Sebastian. It is a 2004 gray full-size Dodge Ram pickup with a Florida tag of K771FN.
The truck has a black roll out Tonneau cover and black diamond plates on the bed rails. There are Mahi Mahi fish decals in the rear window and it has chrome running boards. The rear driver side bumper has a small dent.
Anyone who thinks they might have seen the vehicle is asked to call 911 and not engage the driver.
“Rondell Reed has a violent history,” Sheriff Loar said.
Reed is accused of shooting and killing the owner of Jim’s Auto on US 1 earlier this year. During that crime, authorities say Reed stole the owner’s Corvette and fled north where he was eventually captured in Indiana.
Sheriff Loar said if anyone else has had a vehicle stolen and they have not reported it, they should – as it is not certain Reed stole the Dodge Ram.
Sheriff Loar also said Thursday morning that authorities have recovered some evidence in the Gifford area west of the jail. What items, exactly, were not released. However, the sheriff said the items were “beneficial” to the escape.
He also said that Reed did not have computer or Internet access while in the county jail. Reed did have phone privileges and letters – all of which are being reviewed
There is a $1,000 reward for information leading to the capture of Reed. The Sheriff’s Office is working to bolster that reward amount.
Anyone with information regarding Reed’s whereabouts is encouraged to call 911.