Clearwater Police are continuing to search for an escaped inmate spotted at the Westfield Countryside Mall Tuesday morning.
Shortly after 10:30 a.m., police were called to the mall by someone who reported seeing escaped inmate Raul Diaz, who has been on the lam since Monday when he left the Transition House in Tarpon Springs.
Raul Diaz, 27, escaped from The Transition House in Tarpon Springs on Monday afternoon.
Police said another inmate from the same facility, who was at the mall for a job interview, and a Transition House supervisor were leaving the mall when they saw the escapee riding a bike and called out to him.
This is a photo of the bike that the escapee was riding. (Clearwater Police Dept.)
When they yelled his name, police said he jumped off the bike and ran into the mall. Police said they were in the process of securing and searching the mall when video surveillance showed the suspect had already left.
An image taken from surveillance video shows Diaz running through the mall.
"We have a lot of kids here, you know. I mean, it's a little bit scary but we have pretty good eyes and ears around here,” said Thomas Carpenter, who works nearby.
Police also checked a nearby strip mall, the Village Countryside. Workers there were happy to see the officers.
"Definitely makes me feel safer," Carpenter said. "I mean it's good that they're out looking around for him."
Diaz last was seen wearing a peach-colored shirt and khaki pants and tennis shoes.
His convictions history includes burglary of an occupied structure, grand theft and possession of burglary tools. He had one year left on his sentence when he decided to escape.
Anyone who has seen him should call Clearwater Police at 727-562-4242 or call 911.