MORGANTON -- The N.C. Department of Correction is seeking William L. Hicks, 18, a minimum custody inmate who escaped while on an outside work assignment.

Hicks, a prisoner at Western Youth Institution, is believed to be driving a stolen burgundy 1998 Ford Contour with license plate number WRS-1725. The car is owned by an employee at the J. Iverson Riddle Developmental Center, where Hicks was assigned to a housekeeping detail.

The escape occurred sometime between 11 and 11:30 a.m. today.

Hick is serving a sentence of 8 to 10 months for possession of stolen property, larceny and unauthorized use of a conveyance. He was expected to be released in April 2008.

Anyone with information about Hicks' location should call local law enforcement.

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