WASHINGTON – A 40-year-old man with a violent criminal history escaped the custody of sheriff’s deputies, prompting a Code Red alert to be issued for the Town of Warrenton in Virginia.

Around 5:30 a.m., the Fauquier County Sheriff’s Office attempted to place LaFonzo French in custody on 5600 block of Beach Road near Meetze Road in the Midland area.

Somehow, he got away and is now on the loose.

Police are using bloodhounds and helicopters in the search.

French is wanted for a misdemeanor charge of resisting arrest, five drug-related felonies, three counts of distribution of cocaine, one count of possession with intent to distribute cocaine and one count of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine.

French is a black man, 6-foot-2, 175 pounds and was last seen wearing white boxers. He was unarmed at the time.

The sheriff’s office advises residents to lock their doors and windows and call 911 if they see anything suspicious.

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