Anthony Cassella, 23, of Brooklyn, NY, who was being held in the Lycoming County jail for court on charges of assault with intent to ravish, made a daring escape from the prison about 11:45 this morning.

Up to 3 o’clock this afternoon no trace of the escaped prisoner had been found.

Cassella made the getaway while prisoners were in the exercise yard by running through the west door that leads from the yard to the jail building and then through the main lobby to the front door which was open for a short time while Mrs. Eugene Bardo, wife of the sheriff, was leaving a workman out of the building.

The jail breaker’s tracks were followed for only a short distance after which he disappeared between buildings. It is believed that he telephoned the jail so that authorities could not be notified immediately. Dr. Bardo, sheriff, was in Bodines today on a business trip and did not learn of this escape until this afternoon.

Lewis Bardo, deputy warden was on duty watching the prisoners when the escape was made. When notified of the escape he lined up all the men and ordered them into their cells and then took chase. He thought he got a glimpse of the prisoner on West Edwin Street but was unable to catch him. It is believed that he ran down the jail steps and then north on William Street but dodged between some buildings before he reached Fourth Street.

The State Highway Patrol, the railroad police and all of the police chiefs in the surrounding area were notified to be on the lookout for the man.

The jail break this afternoon marks the third one during the administration of Sheriff Bardo. All have taken place during the last two years.