UPDATE: Monday, Feb. 3 — State police say Nicholas Voutsas has been apprehended. There were no further details immediately available.

🚨 Sex offender escapes from transport van

🚨 Escapee described as 6 feet tall and 260 pounds

🚨 Authorities haven't said where he went


NEWARK — State police are asking the public for help to find a registered sex offender who they say escaped several days ago.

Nicholas Voutsas, 25, is a Tier 2 registered sex offender, police said. State records show he was convicted of second-degree child endangerment for luring in 2022.

The designation means he is at a "moderate" risk of committing another sex offense. Under state law, schools, daycares, and summer camps must be notified about Tier 2 sex offenders.

State police put out the alert on social media on Saturday afternoon.

Voutsas got loose on Thursday around 9 a.m. from a state Department of Health transport van, police said. The New Jersey Human Services Police Department has charged him with escape.

Nicholas Voutsas (NJ State Police)
Nicholas Voutsas (NJ State Police)
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The van was headed to University Hospital in Newark.

Voutsas was last seen near South Orange Avenue and Bergen Street in Newark. He was wearing a burgundy or maroon winter coat.

SEE ALSO: Accused killer of mother and 2 kids in US illegally, ICE says

Police described Voutsas as a Caucasian male standing around 6 feet tall and weighing around 260 lbs.

Anyone who knows where Voutsas may be is asked to call the State Police Fugitive Unit Tipline at 1-800-437-7839 or send an email to Fugitiveinformation@njsp.gov.

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