Eastern State Hospital officials in James City County called in troops earlier in the day to alert them that patients Austin Preston Leigh, 31, and Bryant Marcus Wilkerson, 29, had escaped from the facility, according to Sgt. Michelle Anaya with the Virginia State Police. Anaya said Leigh, who had pending drug warrants outside Chesapeake, was arrested by Chesapeake police at 5:45 p.m. Leigh told police he did not know Wilkerson or where he might be. He is being held without bail at Chesapeake County Jail. “State and local police departments are still actively seeking Wilkerson and are still seeking the help of the public in any information leading to his arrest,” Anaya wrote. Virginia State Police Austin Preston Leigh and Bryant Marcus Wilkerson Wilkerson is wanted for a felony and also has a warrant for his escape from a mental institution. Anaya said earlier that both men were considered armed and dangerous. Eastern State Hospital, located about 45 minutes southeast of Richmond, is the first psychiatric hospital in the country and dates back to 1773. It is one of the five state psychiatric hospitals in the Commonwealth. Last month a man escaped from Central State Hospital in Dingwood County for the second time in less than three years. Central State, which opened in 1870, was the first psychiatric institution in the United States for African Americans. This hospital was incorporated in 1968 and now houses the state’s only state-of-the-art mental health unit, according to the Virginia Department of Behavioral Health and Development website. If you’ve seen Wilkerson or have information about his whereabouts, call Virginia State Police at 757-424-6800, # 77 on your cell phone, or email soldiers at [email protected] This is an evolving story, so anyone with more information can send an email to [email protected] to send a tip. SHARE on social media to spread the word! . Trends on WTVR.com and the CBS 6 News App
