Man held on N.C. murder charge escapes from Arundel court

A 25-year-old man charged in North Carolina with murder, kidnapping and attempted rape escaped Thursday afternoon from a cell in Annapolis District Court, county police said.

Law enforcement officers with the Anne Arundel County Police, the county sheriff and the Annapolis Police have been searching for Bonrick Barksdale since he escaped from a cell in the holding area of the court about 12:10 p.m, said Anne Arundel Police Lt. Francis Tewey.

Police provided few details about how he was able to escape, but said a security guard from a private company was assaulted during the incident.

Officers from the Anne Arundel Police Homicide Unit arrested Barksdale Aug. 26 on a warrant from North Carolina. Barksdale, who was being held in the county detention center, was in the Annapolis court for a hearing Thursday when he escaped, he said. An online posting from the county police union said Barksdale is a former Annapolis resident.

Barksdale, who is about 5'10" and 160 pounds was wearing green jail-issued clothing at the time.

Anyone who spots Barksdale should call 911, police said.

nicole.fuller@baltsun.com