The Virginia State Police ended a manhunt for a fugitive who escaped their custody early Friday afternoon, with the apprehension of the man at 11:45 p.m. Friday at a house in the 500 block of Bellfield Drive in Newport News.
Phillip Alonzo Robinson Jr. was wanted for several felony and misdemeanor violations, according to a news release from Sgt. Michelle Anaya of the Virginia State Police. The U.S. Marshals had located Robinson around 11 a.m. Friday. When the state police arrived at that address, Robinson fled the scene but was soon apprehended.
The release said that while he was being transported to the Newport News Jail, he was somehow able to escape custody. He was last seen in the 600 block of Industrial Drive in Newport News, which is near the Fort Eustis Boulevard exit ( exit 250).
The escape and subsequent search led to congestion on I-64. The state police along with Newport News Police, K-9 and helicopter units spent the afternoon and evening on scene attempting to locate Robinson.
The residence where Robinson was found is south of Industrial Drive, on the east side of I-64. No further information about the circumstances of his capture was available early Saturday morning.
The news release described Robinson as a 31-year-old black male who is considered dangerous. He is 6-foot-2 and 240 pounds. At the time of his escape he was wearing a black T-shirt, blue jeans, black socks and no shoes, and his hands were handcuffed behind his back.
Anyone with any information should contact the state police at 424-6800.
