Texas Seven Escapees

Authorities say Michael Anthony Rodriguez escaped along with six other inmates from the Connally Unit prison in Karnes City, TX on December 13, 2000. Authorities say the inmates took 11 employees and three other inmates hostage in the maintenance shop where they worked. Then, they dressed in clothes taken from the civilian workers and raided a guard tower for weapons and ammunition. Authorities say they surprised two guards near the back gate and tied them up before making their getaway in a white pickup truck. The truck was later found about 50 miles away from San Antonio.

On December, 24, 2000, investigators say the seven escapees robbed an Oshman's Super Sports store in Irving, Texas. The suspects struck at closing time and took several employees hostage. Police say the suspects took 25 firearms, ammunition and $70,000 in cash and checks. While fleeing the store, officials say the suspects shot and killed Irving police officer Aubrey Hawkins.

MICHAEL ANTHONY RODRIGUEZ Escape, Capital Murder  Age: 38 D.O.B. 10 - 29 - 62  Sex: Male  Race: White Hispanic  Height: 5' 7 Weight: 210 lbs  Eye Color: Brown  Hair Color: Black  Scars: Unknown  Tattoos: Unknown

RANDY ETHAN HALPRIN  Escape, Capital Murder  Age: 23 D.O.B. 09 - 13 - 77  Sex: Male  Race: White  Height: 6' 0 Weight: 197 lbs  Eye Color: Hazel  Hair Color: Black  Scars: Lower right wrist area  Tattoos: Unknown

LARRY JAMES HARPER  Escape, Capital Murder  Age: 37 D.O.B. 09 - 10 - 63  Sex: Male  Race: White  Height: 5' 11”  Weight: 165 lbs  Eye Color: Brown  Hair Color: Black  Scars: Unknown  Tattoos: Unknown

PATRICK HENRY MURPHY, JR. Escape, Capital Murder  Age: 39 D.O.B. 10 - 03 - 61  Sex: Male  Race: White  Height: 5' 7 Weight: 160 lbs  Eye Color: Blue  Hair Color: Brown  Scars: Right side of abdomen, burn scar outside of right forearm  Tattoos: Unknown

DONALD KEITH NEWBURY  Escape, Capital Murder, Aggravated Robbery  Age: 38 D.O.B. 05 - 18 - 62  Sex: Male  Race: White  Height: 6' 1”  Weight: 200 lbs  Eye Color: Brown  Hair Color: Brown  Scars: Top of right knee, under left eye, outside right elbow  Tattoos: LIZARD on left arm, various tattoos around neck.

GEORGE RIVAS Escape, Capital Murder, Aggravated Robbery  Age: 30 D.O.B. 05 - 06 - 70  Sex: Male  Race: White Hispanic  Height: 6' 0 Weight: 230 lbs  Eye Color: Brown  Hair Color: Black  Scars: Unknown  Tattoos: Unknown

JOSEPH C. GARCIA  Escape, Capital Murder  Age: 29 D.O.B. 11 - 06 - 71  Sex: Male  Race: Hispanic  Height: 5' 11 Weight: 198 lbs  Eye Color: Brown  Hair Color: Brown  Scars: Open scar left side groin. Cut scar left thigh.  Tattoos: Yin Yang symbol on back of right shoulder. Arlene right wrist

FOR MORE INFORMATION:

Texas Criminal Department of Criminal Justice

Irving Police Department

Internal Memorandum - The PortalofDallas.com has obtained a Internal Memorandum detailing the prison escape. This memorandum was NOT supposed to be released to the public, but the Portal of Dallas has obtained it and is publishing it here for your information.

more to come!