ECSO: Prison Escapee Carjacked Minivan In North Escambia While Armed With Machete

July 15, 2019

An Alabama prison escapee that remains on the run is accused of of an armed carjacking in Nokomis, NorthEscambia.com has learned.

Travis Wyatt Dawson, 41, was allegedly armed with a machete when he took a minivan from a relative on Miller Road just off Rockaway Creek Road early Sunday morning. The vehicle was later found abandoned in Mobile. No one was injured in the incident.

He  eluded authorities in a manhunt led by U.S. Marshals in the area on Friday.

Dawson escaped from Loxley Work Release at about 9 p.m. Wednesday, July 10.

Authorities believe he was in the area of a relative’s home last Friday morning on Miller Road near  the Florida community of Nokomis. A manhunt in the area later shifted focus early Friday afternoon north along Rockaway Creek Road into Atmore, Alabama. By late afternoon, authorities closed Highway 31 west of Atmore after a reported sighting.

Dawson was sentenced to 20 years in 2013 on a possession of a controlled substance conviction in Escambia County, Alabama.

Officials said he has previous local ties to the North Escambia and  Atmore areas. He reportedly attended Ernest Ward High School. In 2003, he was sentenced in Escambia County, Florida, to one year in state prison for possession on drug paraphernalia and trespassing. Once released, he told the Florida Department of Corrections he was living on Washington Avenue in Atmore, according to state records. Information on his Alabama criminal history was not available.

Anyone with information on Dawson’s whereabouts is asked to call the Alabama Department of Corrections at (800) 831-8825 or 911.

Agencies involved in the manhunts Friday included the U.S. Marshals, the Alabama Department of Corrections, Escambia County (FL) Sheriff’s Office, Escambia County (AL) Sheriff’s Office, Escambia County (FL) Road Prison K-9 units, Atmore Police Department.

Pictured top: Officers from the Alabama Department of Corrections speak to an Escambia County (FL) deputy and a citizen a roadblock on Miller Road in Florida midday Friday. Dawson allegedly carjacked a minivan just a few yards from this location on Sunday.  Pictured below: An Escambia County (FL) Road Prison K-9 team searches near a Rockaway Creek Road bridge that spans the Alabama-Florida state line Friday afternoon. Pictured bottom: An Escambia County (FL) deputy helps maintain a perimeter around a neighborhood along Rockaway Creek Road at Grubbs Street in Atmore Friday afternoon. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.

Comments

16 Responses to “ECSO: Prison Escapee Carjacked Minivan In North Escambia While Armed With Machete”

  1. James Duncan on July 17th, 2019 9:02 pm

    I saw the local Community College Police Department out searching as well. As a citizen of Atmore, thank you!

  2. His Daughter on July 16th, 2019 7:26 pm

    Words are words, I just want him to do the right thing. Yes he’s a fugitive but I’m not sure his head is all in the right place right now. I know for a fact he’s not a bad person, he’s never been known for violence either. I really think his mental health needs evaluated once he’s back in there, since he’s been in prison my grandma his mom has passed away. My grandpa died years ago. I haven’t had any contact with him in years due to my own personal reasons. I just want the right thing to be done, I love him but I don’t support him escaping.

  3. Bowhunter on July 16th, 2019 3:30 pm

    @ A Citizen / My Comment’s Weren’t Meant To Attack The Young Lady And If She Took As And Attack Dear I’m Very Sorry For That . Now As Far As Your Comment’s To Me You Need To Get Someone To Read The Article’s And Comment’s To You Since You Have Trouble With The English Language

  4. amazed on July 16th, 2019 2:50 pm

    To A Citizen. I would not compare Bowhunters remarks to be a personal attack on this wanted fugitive from justice’s daughter. Sounds more like he is offering her sound realistic advice.

  5. Puzzled on July 16th, 2019 2:32 pm

    I don’t know the full story but unless this guy has a long criminal history and that which harmed others; why would he be serving 20 yrs. for possession of an illegal substance? Was it weed? Was the arrest in Florida for possession of drug paraphernalia a weed pipe? Weed is now legal in many states. It was grown by and used by our Founding Fathers including George Washington.
    Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness is our inalienable right. This man’s criminal history and the type of drug could settle the debate going on among a few people as to whether or not 20 for drug possession amounts to cruel and unusual punishment in his case.

  6. A citizen on July 16th, 2019 1:18 pm

    Bowhunter leave his daughter alone. She’s trying to tell her dad to do the right thing even though it’s her dad & your going to attack her. Think about that. Oh yeah as far as I know, I don’t even know them. His daughter I don’t know what your feeling but try to keep your head up.

  7. tooma on July 16th, 2019 4:19 am

    His actions show he only cares about himself and when caught he will be adding time to a prison sentence…

  8. chris on July 15th, 2019 7:35 pm

    Personal Protective Equipment can prevent most carjackings.

  9. His Daughter on July 15th, 2019 6:49 pm

    Dad, turn yourself in please. If you ever want to have anything to do with your granddaughters you will do what’s right. Think about what you’re doing. Think about what age they’ll be when you finally get to meet them. One is 9 months old the other just turned 2, I bet you didn’t even know about the youngest one.

  10. Austin Epps on July 15th, 2019 5:41 pm

    You need to turn your self in to police , do it for your daughter … crime doesn’t pay

  11. Howie on July 15th, 2019 5:05 pm

    I hope Dawson does see these posts. But I seriously doubt it. Most escapees aren’t visiting news sites. I’m sure Dawson is not thinking straight about his family missing him and the pain they are going through.

    By the way I don’t know all the details – but 20 years for a controlled drug possession seems a bit excessive to me.

    Dawson, turning yourself in is better than the Marshalls finding you.

  12. Bowhunter on July 15th, 2019 4:55 pm

    @ His Daughter / If He Carjack A Van With A Weapon Then Your Children Will Probably Have Children Of Their Own Before He’s Out . Hate For All Concern Just Made Several Dumb Mistake’s

  13. Pineville on July 15th, 2019 1:57 pm

    Hopefully he will see his daughters post and turn himself in. Its not too late

  14. Charlotte Bates on July 15th, 2019 10:17 am

    Re: His Daughter, I am so sorry. Praying he’ll do the right thing and turn himself in. And praying for you and your precious babies as well.

  15. Amanda brewton on July 15th, 2019 10:03 am

    I just wanted to tell “his daughter” that I have a dad that does this kind of thing and has ended up on this website to. It’s not easy, and it hurts, but stay strong. ❤️

  16. His Daughter on July 15th, 2019 2:54 am

    Wow. What are you thinking dad? You have now put yourself at risk of not being able to see your 2 grandbabies for even longer. Why, just why?

Written by William Reynolds · Filed Under News