Armstrong County Jail Escapee Robert Crissman: 5 Fast Facts You Need to Know

An inmate that escaped from the Armstrong County Jail in Pennsylvania Thursday morning is now considered to be a homicide suspect, according to state police sources. Robert Crissman, who is thought to have stolen a 1999 maroon Chevrolet Silverado extended cab pickup truck, has been recently spotted in Pittsburgh.

Crissman is described as a white man, 5 feet 9 inches in height with strawberry blond hair, blue eyes and weighing 150 pounds. He is considered armed and dangerous.

This is what you need to know:

1. He Is Believed to Have Killed a Woman During a Home Invasion

Crissman is thought to have left the jail at 6:30 am and went to the house of two people he knew on Rayburn Road. the owner of the house was not home when Crissman arrived, but he came home to discover the body of his girlfriend, Tammy Long.

“We know he entered the home with no permission and we know that one of those individuals left for work about 15 minutes later,” Armstrong County District Attorney Scott Andreassi said to WPIX Pittsburgh. “We also know that when he returned home from work around 2:45 p.m., he found his girlfriend, the victim in this case, Tammy Long, 55, deceased.”

Long’s cause of death is unknown. Crissman was spotted near an acquaintance’s house in Kittanning around 10 am.

“The owner of the residence did not answer the door, but gave us a description. He is now in plain clothes, blue jeans, a light-colored T-shirt, a light-colored hat,” Sheriff William Rupert said to Pittsburgh’s WTAE.

2. Details About the Vehicle He Is Traveling in Are Known

Crissman is thought to be traveling in a stolen 1999 maroon Chevrolet Silverado pickup truck. The truck has an union sticker in the back window and is an extended cab. The license plate is Pennsylvania ZDB-5831.

Pittsburgh police has previously reported the vehicle as last being seen on the intersection of Fifth and Frankstown Avenues. These reports are now being discounted by the police.

“We’re determined the vehicle owned by (the man) looks to be the vehicle Crissman was in when he was seen this morning and remains the vehicle we’re looking for,” Andreassi said.

3. Crissman Was in Jail for Drug Charge Probation Violation

According to WTAE, Crissman had a long history of drug and theft-related charges. He was currently serving time for violating his probation on a drug charge and had no previous history of violence.

4. Crissman Was a Trustee at the Armstrong County Jail

Crissman escaped while delivering meals to prisoners. Due to his non-violent history, Crissman was entrusted with trustee duties and was allowed to do certain jobs. Crissman also had more freedom of movement than other prisoners. Crissman walked outside to get meals for the prisoners, but just continued walking once outside the gates.

Crissman’s trustee status has since been revoked.

5. Law Enforcement Is Searching Allegheny & Armstrong Counties for Crissman

Pennsylvania state police has established a helicopter search pattern including most of the Pittsburgh Metropolitan Area, including Allegheny and Armstrong Counties. The state police has also deployed police dogs in the search.

“If anyone sees anything, please call police or 911. Please do not try and engage the inmate. We’re trying to determine why he was willing to walk away from the jail. Whenever an inmate with a nonviolent past makes a decision like this, we don’t know what’s motivating him,” said Andreassi. “(Crissman) has to be considered extremely dangerous.”