HILLSBOROUGH, N.C. (WITN) – The reward for a Bertie Correctional inmate who escaped yesterday in Hillsborough now stands at $35,000.

Ramone Alston was serving a life sentence at the state prison in Windsor when he escaped at UNC Hospitals in Hillsborough.

Authorities say Alston had freed himself from leg restraints, and while still in handcuffs, jumped out from a prison transport vehicle and ran into some nearby woods.

Alston was the only inmate in the van at the time, according to Orange County authorities.

Alston is from the Hillsborough area and Sheriff Charles Blackwood suspects he probably did have help with the escape.

At a morning news conference, Orange County authorities say the U.S. Marshals Service has added $10,000 to the existing $25,000 reward for information that leads to Alston’s arrest.

“$35,000 is a lot of money,” said the sheriff. “Somebody knows out there that this was planned and they know who’s involved in it and we hope that motivates them to do the right thing and let us know so that we can bring this to a successful conclusion and a just conclusion.”

The county says K9 tracks led them yesterday to north of the hospital. Searchers will return to those areas today to look for clues or signs that he may have been there.

Alston was convicted of killing a one-year-old girl on Christmas Day 2015 in Chapel Hill.

Sheriff Blackwood says he went to school with Alston’s father. “I’ve known Ramone since he was born,” Blackwood said. “He was a troubled child, and he’s been involved in criminal activity since he was a juvenile. He’s extremely cagey, he’s extremely dangerous and he has nothing to lose.”

Blackwood is asking people in the area to check their surveillance cameras to see if Alston is captured on them.

People with information on the whereabouts of the escapee should call a special number that has been set up. That is 919-324-1082.