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Alleged Murderer Escapes Police Custody; Remains at Large

Omar Roane is considered dangerous, police say.

PHILADELPHIA – Michelle Young wasn’t aware that an arrest had been made in the June 2009 slaying of her 17-year-old son until she heard that the alleged killer escaped from police custody Saturday afternoon.

“I didn’t even know that they had him,” Young said yesterday, as federal authorities joined in the manhunt for Omar Roane and posted a $2,500 reward for information leading to his arrest.

Roane, 22, busted out of a police transport van about 2:30 p.m. Saturday at Frankford and Cottman avenues while en route to the Curran-Fromhold Correctional Facility.

Roane had just been charged with murder for the June 9, 2009, shooting death of Kyree Young. He also faces robbery and firearms offenses.

Kyree Young, of Saybrook Avenue near Vogdes Street, Southwest Philadelphia, was killed during an attempted robbery while walking home from his job at a grocery store, police said. His friend was shot in the shoulder and survived.

Michelle Young, who was riding a roller coaster of emotions yesterday, had a message for anyone who knows of Roane’s whereabouts:

“Turn him in,” she said, “because he might kill somebody else.”

Police say Roane, who has a lengthy rap sheet including an aggravated-assault conviction last year, was one of three men who jumped out of the van Saturday while it was stopped at a traffic light. The other two men were rearrested on the spot.

“Basically, they just forced open the back door of the van,” said Officer Jillian Russell, a Philadelphia police spokeswoman.

It was unclear yesterday how they were able to open the door from inside.

Roane is 5 feet 8, 125 pounds, and has the letters “YHM” tattooed on the left side of his neck and two teardrops tattooed on his left cheek. An “RIP Rob” tattoo is on his right hand.

The U.S. Marshals Service Fugitive Task Force is offering a $2,500 reward for information leading to Roane’s arrest. Supervisory Deputy U.S. Marshal James Burke said Roane should be considered dangerous.

“He’s someone that doesn’t have a whole lot to lose,” Burke said. “He’s arrested for murder. It doesn’t get any more dangerous than that.”

“He’s a desperate person, and I would imagine he’s willing to do whatever he can” to elude capture, Burke said.

Burke advised tipsters to take note of Roane’s clothing and appearance and get a license-plate number if he is in a vehicle.

“But absolutely stay away from him,” he said.

Anyone with information should call the U.S. Marshals Service 24-hour tip line at 1-866-865-TIPS to claim the reward, or call 9-1-1.