Melvatean Lampkins (2-18-12)

MILWAUKEE -- US Marshals are searching for a fugitive who's avoided law enforcement for more than 30 years.

At age 18, Melvatean Lampkins was arrested and eventually sentenced for playing a role in a 1968 fatal armed robbery. Lampkins is now 62 years old.

Officials say Lampkins and two others played a part in a grocery store robbery. A newspaper article describes gun-whipping and shots fired, and one man apparently didn't move fast enough for the robbers. 78-year-old John Adornato was shopping with his wife when officials say he was shot at point blank range during the robbery.

Adornato was rushed from the area of Buffum and Center to a hospital. The intern at the hospital knew there was nothing he could do, and that intern happened to be one of Adornato's 11 grandchildren. Another of Adornato's grandchildren describes the impact of the murder. "He was a gentle soul and a lover of people. It took us by such shock. It devastated them. It broke the family apart," Celia Dodge said.

Lampkins was sentenced to life in prison plus 60 years, but was given the chance to attend school during that time. Lampkins took advantage of the opportunity, and Michelle Harrings with the US Marshals says Lampkins escaped in 1976 and again in 1979, and hasn't been found.

US Marshals believe she's managed to hide using one of several aliases including: Melver Lampkins, Melvatean Gray, Tean Gray and Barbara Jackson.

Officials say Lampkins has roots in Milwaukee and Madison.

If you have any information on her whereabouts law enforcement wants to hear from you at 414-297-3707.