An eyewitness to gun suspect Alvon Maybury's brazen daylight escape from custody said she now wishes she had knocked him over.

Maybury, 24, was charged with three gun-related offences at Magistrates' Court yesterday morning, including firing a gun on December 18 last year.

As he left court at 10.30 yesterday he darted past two prison officers, who were escorting him to a waiting van to return him to Westgate Correctional Facility.

He ran on Parliament Street past the House of Assembly and Greg's Steak House. The fugitive, whose hands were cuffed in front of him, managed to escape after one of the guards fell over while trying to apprehend him, a witness said.

Another witness was outside Hamilton Pharmacy when Maybury ran by.

"He looked scared and was running at a fast pace towards Victoria Street," the woman said. "He turned onto Victoria Street leaving behind his white sneakers.

"He was wearing prison attire the heather grey/light grey sweatshirt and khaki long pants. He, in fact, stunned me because I didn't see any prison officers chasing him.

"Now I think about it I should've flopped him. I thought about it a split second too late! I should've flopped him. To think he couldn't throw a punch and considering he would've fell and been out of breath!

"But I did the right thing and alerted the people near me. Out of shock I ended up just smacking the man walking beside me, I didn't even know him. I just remember trying not to alert the prisoner, and [alerted the other bystander] that I noticed a guy running like a bat out of hell handcuffed.

"I hope they catch him."

Police were immediately notified and began searching vehicles on Court Street. Marked and unmarked Police vehicles could also be seen patrolling North Hamilton along Princess Street, Deep Dale and St. Monica's Mission. During a press conference at the Department of Corrections on Happy Valley Road at 11.30 a.m. Police cars passed by every minute.

Yesterday, Prison Commissioner Edward Lamb said a full investigation would be launched into Maybury's escape and conceded that normal protocol, where prisoners are handcuffed behind their backs, was not followed.

He added that he believed the escape was "spontaneous" and not premeditated.

"An opportunity presented itself in a split second and he took it," he said. "I think he had a momentary lapse of judgment."

When asked if Maybury was a model prisoner before his escape, Commissioner Lamb said, "there is room for improvement".

When asked if he could pose a threat to the public he added: "I know the prisoner, I don't think he poses a threat to anyone.

"I want to tell Alvon to turn himself in. What can possibly be gained from being a fugitive? You can run, but you can't hide. Do the right thing, turn yourself in.

"To the public I say, 'Assist us in apprehending him. Do the right thing.'"

He told The Royal Gazette it would be difficult to remove the prison handcuffs but well-placed sources said reinforced bolt cutters could most likely do the job.

Police spokesman Dwayne Caines said the Service spent yesterday searching a number of areas Maybury was known to hang out in.

"Police are appealing for anyone with information on the whereabouts of this individual to contact 295-0011. The public is reminded that harbouring a fugitive is an offence punishable under the law."

When asked if Maybury was violent, Mr. Caines said: "Whilst we do not want to characterise him as a person of violent threat he is a fugitive from justice and by virtue of his alleged crimes we would advise people to simply contact Police. It would be unwise to put yourself at risk physically. Simply pick up the phone and contact Police."

He reminded the public that Maybury has a prominent dollar sign tattoo under his right eye.

Yesterday, before his escape, Maybury was charged with possessing a firearm and ammunition on December 18 and 19 last year as well as discharging the firearm on December 18. He was not required to enter a plea.

After learning his client had fled custody yesterday defence lawyer Llewellyn Peniston said: "That kind of behaviour is disappointing. He was fully aware of the matter before the court and the order that was made. We made no application for bail.

"I really do not know where anyone can hide in Bermuda."