BELFAST (March 26, 7:15 a.m.) — A Montville man who escaped police custody in Belfast on March 25 has been returned to custody without incident.

Shortly after 9 p.m., March 25, a citizen of Belfast called the Sheriff’s Office and reported the location of Robert Porter, according to Sheriff Jason Trundy.

“The caller indicated he was at a residence off Swan Lake Avenue in the city of Belfast,” said Trundy, in a news release.

Personnel from the Sheriff’s Office and Belfast Police Department responded to the residence where they located and arrested Robert Porter. 

BELFAST — A Montville man being detained at Waldo County Correctional Center fled custody today, while at the hospital being treated for an unspecified medical condition.

Robert Porter, 39, was reportedly arrested March 23, on a misdemeanor warrant for a probation violation, according to a media report released by Waldo County Sheriff Jason Trundy.

Porter was detained and transported to the Waldo County Correctional Center. 

On the morning of March 25, Porter was transported to Waldo County General Hospital for treatment of an ongoing medical issue. It is during the trip to the hospital that Porter escaped, police say. 

The escape occurred at approximately 12:45 p.m., when Porter allegedly broke custody while in the hospital and fled the area on foot. Law enforcement from the Sheriff’s Office and Belfast Police responded to the scene and began a search of the area. 

According to the report, Porter was observed at a local Circle K store a few minutes after his escape. The store he was reportedly observed at is located on Northport Ave.

When he fled the hospital, Porter was wearing a pair of orange jail-issued pants and a green medical gown top, according to the release.

The search for Porter continues, and law enforcement is asking anyone with information to call the Sheriff’s Office at 338-2040.