On the case of missing University of Virginia student Hannah Graham, authorities have issued an arrest warrant for Jesse Leroy Matthew Jr. for a Class 2 felony charge for abduction with the intent to defile. 

"We reached that point that the Commonwealth felt we had probable cause to seek an arrest warrant," quoted WTVR of Charlottesville Police Chief Timothy Longo during the 7 p.m. press conference on Tuesday.

Previously a "person of interest", the Police believe that Matthew was the last person with Graham, 18, before she disappeared on Sept. 13. Posters of 32-year-old Matthew, who is also wanted on two counts of reckless driving, have been shared with the public. 

Matthews, a patient technician in the university medical center's operating room, went to the Charlottesville police station on Saturday with family members and asked for a lawyer, said Fox News. The outlet reported that per Chief Longo, "Matthew was provided with an attorney, but left the station after about one hour without offering any information to police. He then went to his grandmother's house and was seen by officers driving from the home at a high rate of speed, which endangered others and led to the reckless driving charges."

Without specifying the evidence found that led to the charges, local authorities conducted a second search of Matthew's apartment on Monday and took with them several bags of evidence, including several items of clothing. During the time of the search, the suspect was not around and was reported to have not been home since Saturday. 

"He has not been seen, that we know of, since Sunday, and we have not heard from him or had any communication of his whereabouts," updated Capt. Gary Pleasants on Tuesday, via Fox. 

According to online records, Chron revealed that Matthews has previous charges including a trespassing conviction in 2010 and charges of assault, attempted grand larceny and various traffic infractions in 2009.

According to the WANTED poster for Jesse Leroy Matthew, with alias LJ, he is a 6 feet and 2 inches tall African-American man weighing about 270 pounds. He was last seen with his sister's 1997 light blue Nissan Sentra with VA plate number VAC4574. 

A reward of $ 50,000 is being offered for information that will lead to the safe return of Hannah Graham. 

The local police department, being assisted by the FBI and Virginia State Police, have called on the public to help track Matthew down. 

"We are trying to locate Mr Matthew. State and federal resources have been released to help accomplish that task. We want people to know that Mr Matthew is wanted for this very serious offense," said Chief Longo, quoted Mail Online. 

Longo assured the public that despite the charges, they are still continuing the search for Hannah.