Police : Prisoner escapee took stolen car to Barnegat

WINSLOW, TWP., NJ (WTXF) - Residents and area schools in Ocean County were told to stay indoors Wednesday while police continued their search for an escaped prisoner. Schools will be open again Thursday, though they will be on high alert, while police continue their search.

Police in Winslow Township, New Jersey began searching for an man who escaped from Bayside Prison at Ancora Tuesday.

Arthur Buckel, of Clifton, was last seen at 4:10 a.m. Tuesday.

On Wednesday, police say Buckel may have been involved with stealing a car in the Barnegat Township area in New Jersey.

At approximately 10:17a.m. a stolen vehicle (white 2015 Chevy Silverado from Hammonton, NJ) was located at the CVS Drugstore on West Bay Avenue in Barnegat, N.J.

Agencies from the Ocean County Sheriffs Department, New Jersey Department of Corrections Fugitive Task Force, Ocean County Special Operations Group, Ocean County SWAT Team, New Jersey State Police, Ocean Township Police Department, and Stafford Township Police Department are assisting with area searches, patrols, and K-9 Tracks along the Garden State Parkway and other areas of town.

FOX 29's Steve Keeley reported Tuesday that all schools and homes in the area had been ordered locked tight by officials. Cops had been swarming woods along Garden State Parkway just north of Atlantic City looking for Buckel.

Police say Buckel was in jail for aggravated assault, burglary and related offenses.

Buckel, 38, is described as 5'9", 180 lbs., with brown hair , blue eyes, a goatee, and a small tattoo under his left eye.

If you see Buckel, you are asked to call 911 immediately.

Police announced late Wednesday night that schools will be open in Barnegat and Stafford Township Thursday. In addition, police announced that they will be visable at each school for the entire school day.