3 Inmates Escape from Maximum-Security Jail

3 Inmates Escape from Maximum-Security Jail

A manhunt is underway for three inmates who cut through steel bars, made their way through plumbing tunnels and rappelled off a roof to break out of a maximum-security jail in California.

The group, which includes a man charged with murder, fled the prison on foot Jan. 22, Orange County Sheriff’s Lt. Jeff Hallock told reporters.

It has been reported that the men tired towels and bed sheets together to form a makeshift rope to rappel down from the roof and reach the street four stories below.

Authorities say they are offering a $50,000 reward for information leading to the capture of the escaped prisoners. They are also trying to get to the bottom of how the inmates managed to escape. An investigation into how the event occurred is ongoing.

The inmates were last seen inside the jail dormitory at a 5 a.m. headcount, but by the next headcount which is done at 9 p.m. the inmates were missing. The three were housed with about 60 other inmates but there has been no word on whether the other inmates knew of their plan or even saw them leaving.

The escaped inmates are Jonathan Tieu, 20; Hossein Nayeri, 37; and Bac Tien Duong, 43.

About the Author

Sydny Shepard is the Executive Editor of Campus Security & Life Safety.

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