Deputies: Escaped prisoner may have stolen vehicle

BROOKSVILLE (FOX 13) - Hernando County deputies now believe an escaped inmate has stolen a vehicle, much further expanding their search area. 

Deputies say the prisoner, Joshua Holmes, 35, walked off from a work detail at the Northwest Solid Waste Management Facility on Norris Bishop Loop in Brooksville.

Deputies say Holmes was working with two other inmates under the supervision of Hernando County landfill employees when he escaped.

During their search, deputies were called to a report of a stolen vehicle at about 6 p.m. The person said his vehicle had been taken "within the last five minutes." 

The vehicle was taken in the same area where deputies were searching for Holmes and they suspect he's behind the theft.

The stolen vehicle is a 1971, blue Chevrolet C10 pickup truck with Florida license plate number ECYD59. 

Deputies say the truck may have damage from crashing through a fence on the owner's property.

Homes is described as a white male, 5 feet seven inches tall, 145 pounds with brown hair, which is balding. He was wearing white and black striped two-piece inmate clothing and is serving time for grand theft auto.

Anyone with information on his whereabouts should call 911. If you'd like to remain anonymous, you can call Crime Stoppers at 1-866-990-TIPS (8477).