Lincolnton, NC, December 9, 2025
Roy Burgess, a 42-year-old inmate who escaped from the Lincoln Correctional Center in Lincolnton, NC, was captured in York County, SC. This arrest was the result of a coordinated effort between law enforcement agencies from both states. Burgess was serving a sentence for larceny with a release date in January 2027. The ongoing investigation aims to clarify the circumstances surrounding his escape.
Lincolnton, NC – Escaped Inmate Captured in South Carolina
Lincolnton, NC – Roy Burgess, a 42-year-old inmate who escaped from the Lincoln Correctional Center in Lincolnton, North Carolina, on Sunday, was apprehended in York County, South Carolina, on Monday morning. The capture was the result of a collaborative effort between the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) and the York County Sheriff’s Office.
Burgess had been serving a one-to-two-year sentence for larceny, with a scheduled release date in January 2027. He has a history of low-level felonies spanning nearly two decades. Following his escape, authorities initiated an investigation, leading to his arrest approximately 30 miles from the prison in South Carolina. He will remain incarcerated in South Carolina while awaiting extradition proceedings to return to North Carolina.
The North Carolina Department of Adult Correction and the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding Burgess’s escape. The Secretary of the NC Department of Adult Correction expressed gratitude for the swift resolution, emphasizing the importance of strong partnerships in maintaining community safety.
Background on Recent Escapes in the Region
This incident follows a series of high-profile escapes in the region. In August 2024, Ramone Alston, serving a life sentence for the murder of a one-year-old girl, escaped from a medical transport van in Hillsborough, North Carolina. After a three-day manhunt, Alston was captured in Kannapolis, North Carolina. In May 2025, Ulysses Conner, a South Carolina inmate participating in a work-release program, escaped from his job at a Bojangles in Florence, South Carolina. He was arrested in Charlotte, North Carolina, after multiple leads. These cases highlight ongoing challenges in managing inmate escapes and the importance of interagency cooperation in apprehending fugitives.
Key Features of the Incident
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Inmate Name | Roy Burgess |
| Age | 42 |
| Escape Date | Sunday, December 7, 2025 |
| Location of Escape | Lincoln Correctional Center, Lincolnton, North Carolina |
| Sentence | One-to-two-year sentence for larceny, with a release date in January 2027 |
| Capture Date | Monday, December 8, 2025 |
| Location of Capture | York County, South Carolina |
| Collaborating Agencies | South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED), York County Sheriff’s Office, North Carolina Department of Adult Correction, North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation |
| Investigation Status | Ongoing |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Who is Roy Burgess?
Roy Burgess is a 42-year-old inmate who escaped from the Lincoln Correctional Center in Lincolnton, North Carolina, on Sunday. He was serving a one-to-two-year sentence for larceny, with a scheduled release date in January 2027. Burgess has a history of low-level felonies spanning nearly two decades.
How was Roy Burgess apprehended?
Burgess was apprehended in York County, South Carolina, on Monday morning. The capture resulted from a collaborative effort between the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) and the York County Sheriff’s Office. Authorities initiated an investigation following his escape, leading to his arrest approximately 30 miles from the prison in South Carolina. He will remain incarcerated in South Carolina while awaiting extradition proceedings to return to North Carolina.
What is the current status of the investigation?
The North Carolina Department of Adult Correction and the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding Burgess’s escape. Secretary Leslie Cooley Dismukes of the NC Department of Adult Correction expressed gratitude for the swift resolution, emphasizing the importance of strong partnerships in maintaining community safety.
Have there been other recent escapes in the region?
Yes, there have been other recent escapes in the region. In August 2024, Ramone Alston, serving a life sentence for the murder of a one-year-old girl, escaped from a medical transport van in Hillsborough, North Carolina. After a three-day manhunt, Alston was captured in Kannapolis, North Carolina. In May 2025, Ulysses Conner, a South Carolina inmate participating in a work-release program, escaped from his job at a Bojangles in Florence, South Carolina. He was arrested in Charlotte, North Carolina, after multiple leads. These cases highlight ongoing challenges in managing inmate escapes and the importance of interagency cooperation in apprehending fugitives.
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