ANDERSON — The day after kidnapping an Anderson attorney at knifepoint and stealing his sport utility vehicle, a former Madison County Jail prisoner remains on the loose, and his brother said Tuesday “he’s capable of anything.”

Anderson police Sgt. William Casey, department spokesman, said Richard “Rick” L. Hudson, 52, had not been apprehended as of late Tuesday, but there had been a sighting reported in Jay County, about 50 miles northeast of Anderson.

Casey said Hudson was reportedly in the Jay County area to see his father, but Randy Hudson, Richard Hudson’s brother, said Tuesday both of his parents are dead.

Randy Hudson, Anderson, declined to comment at length about his brother’s escape because he believes his family is in danger.

“For my family’s safety it’s better not to say anything,” he said. “I don’t know what kind of frame of mind he might be in.”

Richard Hudson was being held at the jail on a misdemeanor domestic battery charge; police allege he beat his live-in girlfriend in June. His attorney, Thomas Hamer, received permission from Anderson City Court officials to transport Hudson Monday to Indianapolis for a Social Security disability hearing.

When the two returned to Anderson and neared the jail, Hudson quickly got out of Hamer’s SUV, climbed into the rear and held a knife to the attorney’s throat. They drove to an Anderson cemetery and Hudson tied up Hamer. Hudson then drove to Rangeline Nature Preserve and released Hamer. Hamer was able to free himself and get help. Hamer suffered only minor injuries in the attack.

Randy Hudson said he hasn’t talked with his brother in over a year, after the two had a dispute over his father’s estate. Their father, Robert Hudson, died in March 2007, while their mother, Betty Hudson, died in 2002.

“I’m afraid he could come over here,” Randy Hudson said. “I’m afraid anything that I might say could jeopardize my family’s life. I think he’s capable of anything.”

Randy Hudson said he wasn’t surprised his brother was able to convince Hamer he posed no danger.

“He’s a smooth talker,” Randy Hudson said. “He can be a mean guy, he can be a not-mean guy. He can be in between. He can be a real nice guy.”

Along with two brothers living in Anderson, Richard Hudson’s only other relative is an aunt living in Indianapolis.

Richard Hudson took Hamer’s wallet during the kidnapping, but Casey said there have been no reports of Hamer’s credit cards or automatic teller machine cards being used.

“I thought he was OK, but I don’t know. He fooled me,” said Trisha Young, Anderson, who has known Hudson since he was released from a Florida prison in 2004 after serving 23 years on several charges including armed robbery and aggravated assault.

“I hope I don’t run into him,” she continued. “It’s been a stressful day and night.”