A prisoner remained at large last night after escaping from the Centre County Prison in Bellefonte yesterday morning where he was being held for allegedly kidnapping and assaulting a Bellefonte woman one week ago.

Richard E. Grosso, 33, escaped at about 8:10 a.m. from the jail's recreation yard, warden Gerald Wilson said.

Grosso reportedly ran for the door that leads to the prison while a supervisor and officer were tending to other inmates. He pulled himself onto the ledge above the door and scaled a brick wall. The wall, lined with razor wire, surrounds the recreation area, Wilson said. Grosso, who is considered potentially dangerous, was seen running south from the jail, he added.

The police received several reports of Grosso in the Bellefonte area, but none were confirmed, Wilson said.

"We've had sighting reports, but nothing that's definitely him," he said.

Grosso's ex-wife and child live in the Bellefonte area, Wilson said.

Grosso is described as white, five-feet-six-inches tall and weighing 130 pounds. He has hazel eyes and brown hair with a white streak. Grosso was last seen wearing prison greens and a white sweatshirt, Wilson said.

Local police agencies, including University Police Services and canine Reicher, have been involved in the search. Also, state police helicopters have aided in the search.

Grosso was paroled March 22 from the State Correctional Institution in Huntingdon County, where he was incarcerated for burglary and related offenses, a Huntingdon prison spokesman Steryl Grove said.

According to an Associated Press story, Grosso was previously incarcerated for rape, firearms violations, receiving stolen property and escaping Clinton and Bucks County jails.

About six hours after his release, Grosso kidnapped Eyvonne Horner, 55, of 208 S. Water St., while she was leaving a store on High Street, Rockview State Police said.

Grosso allegedly pushed Horner into her car, which was parked outside the store, and drove it away. Police said Grosso then beat Horner on the head and face.

Horner jumped out of the car and escaped from Grosso on Route 45 in Spring Mills, state police said. Grosso allegedly tried to run her over before driving away, police said.

After a two-hour search, police apprehended Grosso in Spring Mills after he drove Horner's car into a utility pole, police said.

Grosso was charged with kidnapping, aggravated assault, robbery and other related offenses and was being held in the Centre County Prison in lieu of $100,000.