New Hampshire prison officials are trying to figure out how a dangerous inmate was mistakenly freed.
The prisoner is accused of robbing a convenience store the day after his release.
According to a police affidavit, it was just before midnight on Sunday when James Rand approached a Cumberland Farms convenience store and held a knife to the torso of the clerk inside.
Rand, a convicted felon with a lengthy history, was mistakenly released from prison on Friday.
“Inmate Rand was supposed to be paroled to county jail to face new charges, however, due to an apparent communication error, we’re looking into the reason he was paroled to this community,” said Jeff Lyons with the New Hampshire Department of Corrections.
In a phone interview Tuesday, Parole Board Executive Assistant John Eckert said, “I take full responsibility. The proper procedures are in place. I just failed to follow them.”
According to Eckert, he forgot to check to see if Rand was wanted on any other charged before he was released. The secretary who normally handles the releases is out on medical leave.
In the complaints, police say that after threatening the clerk with the knife, Rand attempted to steal her car, but instead ran down the street toward a Dunkin’ Donuts where he was spotted by police.
Authorities say Rand was eventually taken into custody at gunpoint, and had a large amount of cash on him.
Rand is currently being held on a number of charges, including two felonies.
The New Hampshire Department of Corrections is reviewing the incident.
A corrections official says they want to make sure it doesn’t happen again.
