'Little Houdini' Escapes From Police

A prisoner being transported from Florida to Tennessee escaped from the officer transporting him Tuesday, leading to the shutdown of Kennesaw State University while police conducted a search.

Police say 30-year-old Chris Gay, who was wanted in Coffee County, Tenn. on charges he stole a Wal-Mart truck, escaped on Tuesday when the deputy transporting him there from Orlando, Fla., stopped at a Waffle House.

Cobb County police spokesman Sgt. Dana Pierce said Gay apparently broke out of his restraints.

Police dubbed Gay "Little Houdini" because of past escape attempts.

In 2005 Gay broke out of a Nashville, Tenn. jail to visit his sick father. In 2007 he escaped from a prison van while shackled at the waist, hands and feet.

Two years ago Gay allegedly stole country singer Crystal Gayle's tour bus in Nashville. He drove it to Florida's Lakeland Speedway, where he claimed he was at the track to pick up NASCAR driver Tony Stewart.

Police searched the campus for several hours but were unable to find the fugitive. The campus was reopened at 5:45 p.m. Officials said Kennesaw State would resume its regular schedule Wednesday.

Tuesday evening classes were canceled because of the incident.

The director of university relations told Channel 2 that after investigating several alleged "sightings" of the escapee in two KSU facilities (the Science Building and the Clendenin Building), police officers from multiple jurisdictions searched the entire KSU campus thoroughly, and the suspect was not located anywhere on the university's premises.

Extra police officers in KSU's Public Safety unit were called in, and patrols were increased throughout the evening and night shifts, school officials said.

ERIC PHILIPS: Police Search KSU Campus For Escaped Prisoner

The Cobb County Sheriff's Office told WSB-TV Channel 2 the incident began when Gay ran from a deputy who was escorting him. When the deputy stopped at a Waffle House at Chastain and I-75 just before 3 p.m. Tuesday, Gay was able to escape from a 40-year veteran of their department.

The KSU Police Department was the lead agency because they believed the suspect escaped onto KSU campus.

Marc Holcomb, a KSU employee, talked to Channel 2 Action News anchor Jovita Moore at 5 p.m. and said, "Right now they have us all on lockdown and we can't get in or out of our building."

Holcomb said officials sent out text messages updating them on the situation.

"The last blast that we got let us know they've canceled classes because they're not letting anyone move around on campus," said Holcomb.

Cobb County Police Department officials said they used canine units to help search for the man.

KSU officials sent out a message to students and faculty at 3:30 p.m. that said the man was last seen on the south side of campus in or near the science building.

Coffee Co., Tenn. Sheriff Steve Graves told Channel 2 Action News the suspect was arrested a few days ago in Orlando, Fla. Police there checked computer records and found he was wanted in Coffee Co. for stealing a Wal-Mart truck.

The man has been identified as Chris Gay, a 30-year-old white male who is approximately 5 feet 8 inches and 145 pounds.

Please refresh this developing story for updates.