A "dangerous" inmate who escaped while being transported in a van Monday could be anywhere in Florida after stealing a pickup, police said Wednesday.

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Dominic Leonard Reddick, 22, was being transported from Orlando to Gainesville in a van run by a private transport company when he was able to escape officers.

A massive search of nearly 600 acres of woods in Sumter County, Fla., was stopped Tuesday night after it was determined that Reddick likely stole a pickup and drove away from the initial search area.

"He could be anywhere from Gainesville to Orlando," Sumter County Sheriff's Capt. Gary Brannen said. "We know he has ties in Orlando. He has a girlfriend there. We know he has ties in Gainesville. He has a family in Jacksonville."

Investigators said Reddick apparently found a shed with a bolt cutter and boots near Interstate 75 on state Road 44. He then jumped into a Ford F-350 and fled the area, police said.

The truck's owner, who wished to remain anonymous, told Local 6 News that Reddick must have hot-wired the pickup because he did not leave the keys in the ignition.

"It is pretty scary knowing someone can come up here and do that," the stolen truck's owner said.

Police said the truck was stolen sometime Monday night. However, it was not reported stolen until Tuesday night because the owner was out of town.

Investigators believe Reddick had a 12-hour head start on searchers.

"He knows he is facing life in prison without parole," Brannen said. "He will do anything to get away from law enforcement. He is dangerous."

The Florida tag on the stolen pickup is G96 GIA.

Reddick was charged in Orange County with attempted murder of a law-enforcement officer.

If you have any information concerning this crime, you are urged to call Crimeline at (800) 423-TIPS.

Watch Local 6 News for more on this story.