Decatur, Georgia– Three inmates — including one in custody on murder charges — escaped just from the East Atlanta County Jail, authorities said.
The DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office said the break-in occurred early Monday morning at the DeKalb County Jail and was discovered during a routine security check.
“We take this violation very seriously and are working diligently to ensure these individuals are safely returned to custody as quickly as possible,” DeKalb County Sheriff Melody Maddox said in a statement. There were no immediate details about how the escape was carried out.
The Sheriff’s Office warned that the men may be armed and are considered dangerous.
“We urge the public to use extreme caution and not approach them,” the Sheriff’s Office said.
The ages of the prisoners range from 24 to 31 years, and the youngest is accused of murder and armed robbery. The other two prisoners face charges including armed robbery and arson.
The DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office Fugitive Unit is working with patrol officers and other law enforcement agencies in the search.
The prison is located in Decatur, about 10 miles (16 kilometers) east of downtown Atlanta.