Manhunt Intensifies For Escaped Prisoner In Barnegat Township, N.J.

BARNEGAT, N.J. (CBSNewYork) -- A massive and intensive search continued Thursday in Barnegat Township, New Jersey for a convicted murderer who escaped from prison two days earlier.

From the ground to the air, there was an all-out manhunt for inmate Arthur Buckel in southern New Jersey, CBS2's Hazel Sanchez reported.

"They have been running down every single lead with amazing dedication, and everyone is serious," Barnegat Township Mayor John Novak said.

Buckel, a convicted killer who was serving time for assault and burglary, was most recently spotted in Barnegat Township.

The New Jersey Department of Corrections said early Thursday evening that they do not believe Buckel is in Barnegat Township anymore. Still, some residents felt uneasy with him on the loose.

"It's kind of frightening. I saw the helicopters last night. And I right away went online and looked it up and I saw that someone escaped," said Gregory Shuford of Barnegat Township. "I'm just hoping that they really catch him quick because it's kind of unnerving."

"You worry about it. It's a little nerve-racking," said Candace Carmen of Barnegat Township. "But they seem to have it under control."

Police were posted at all Barnegat schools on Thursday. The day before, students were temporarily placed on lockdown after surveillance cameras revealed that Buckel had been shopping in a local CVS drugstore.

"It's crazy, just nuts, I've never seen anything like it," resident Mark Bryson said. "I've lived here all my life and hopefully they catch the guy soon."

Police also discovered a pickup truck they believe Buckel stole and abandoned in the parking lot.

Mindy Medina, a mother of three, said she is afraid to let her kids out of her sight.

"My kids went into school late. I was on the fence with that," Medina said. "My son was crying, and it was tough getting him out. And he was hysterical. And I had to reassure him, 'You're OK.'"

Authorities on Thursday were still trying to figure out how Buckel, 38, from Clinton was able to escape the Bayside State Prison unit at Ancora Psychiatric Hospital in Winslow Township, about 25 miles northwest of Atlantic City.

"I'm curious how he got out," said Lauren Conner of Barnegat Township. "I'd like to know how he got out, and I'd like to know what they're doing about it to make sure that no one else does it in the future."

Barnegat police said they did not know if the escaped inmate was still in their jurisdiction Thursday, so they were following every lead and suspicious sighting.

"Unless Mr. Buckel is captured, or we have evidence that he is someplace else other than Barnegat, this operation will continue -- with the mission being, capture Mr. Buckel, and to keep our residents safe," Mayor Novak said.

Novak asked that the public remain vigilant.

"Please maintain your vigilance," he said. "If you see something, say something, and if there is any lead that would indicate that Mr. Buckel may be here, or even evidence that he was here, our agency will immediately follow up that lead."

Before the assault and battery conviction, Barnegat previously served 14 years for aggravated manslaughter of a baby.