Search underway for ‘The Wire’ actor who escaped police custody

Chris Clanton, 33, escaped from police custody in Baltimore after being arrested for violating a protective order. The actor appeared on “The Wire” in a recurring guest role.

Chris Clanton, 33, escaped from police custody in Baltimore after being arrested for violating a protective order. The actor appeared on "The Wire" in a recurring guest role.

Christopher Clanton Sr. — who played Savino Bratton in two seasons of HBO’s Baltimore-based drama “The Wire” — allegedly escaped from police custody on Friday after being transferred to a nearby hospital, police said.

The 33-year-old actor was arrested for allegedly violating a protective order on Thursday, the Baltimore Police Department said.

He was taken to Good Samaritan Hospital on the city’s northeast side the next day for treatment for a pre-existing medical condition, the department said.

Police did not offer details on how he escaped, but they said he somehow managed to leave the hospital without notice, sparking a state-wide search.

The department posted two images of Clanton on its Facebook page Friday, asking for the public’s help in the search.

“Christopher Clanton, Sr. is 6’ tall and weighs approximately 165 lbs. He is known to frequent the Harford Road corridor,” the post said. “Anyone who has seen or knows of Clanton’s whereabouts is asked to call police.”