Inmate escapes from work site

A Centre County Prison inmate on work release failed to return to prison Monday evening, according to the county sheriff's office.

Thomas A. Downing took a CATA bus from his work site, Prospectors Allegheny Rib Company, 2080 Cato Ave., to Burrowes Street and Calder Way shortly after 5 p.m. Monday, according to a press release. However, he did not transfer to another bus that would return him to the prison, according to the release.

Downing, incarcerated on a theft charge, is a 32-year-old white male. He is 5 feet 11 inches tall, 215 pounds with brown hair and hazel eyes, according to the press release.