A convicted murderer escaped from custody during a visit to Altoona Hospital, tying up two women and stealing a car before he was recaptured after a three-hour manhunt, police said.
The escapee was eventually apprehended in Antis Township at a residence on Grandview Road.
Christopher P. Gerlach, 29, serving a life sentence for his role in a 1995 murder in Montgomery County, slipped away at about 11 a.m. Wednesday while in a hospital bathroom, using a second door that the guard was unaware of, police said.
Police said Gerlach, who was unshackled, modified his prison jumpsuit to make it appear that he was a hospital orderly, then walked casually out one of the hospital’s main entrances and through a parking lot.
When his escape was discovered, a hospital employee spotted him, and a chase through town began. Police said he tied up two women in separate homes, stole a vehicle belonging to one of them and changed his outfit twice to escape detection.
Penn State Altoona and other schools were put under lockdown as the escape unfolded, as was the medium-security Houtzdale prison.
Bellwood-Antis School Superintendent Brian Toth said there was a general alert at around 12:15 p.m. yesterday. He said a lockdown commenced at about 1 p.m. and lasted until shortly after 2 p.m. He said, “Everyone did a great job keeping everyone safe and sound.”
Gerlach was caught just before 2 p.m. hiding in the basement of a third home, police said. The residence where he was captured is located on Grandview Road in Antis Township.
Prior to his capture, Gerlach had broken into residences in Altoona and Logan Township. Police said an Antis resident arrived in the area of her home while police were conducting search operations. She asked if some of the officers would accompany her to her residence. Police went to the woman’s home and checked the house. They found Gerlach hiding in the basement. Gerlach was taken into custody and was returned back to SCI Houtzdale.
The Altoona City Police, the Logan Township Police and the state’s Department of Corrections assisted in the search and investigation.
