5 inmates escape N. Carolina jail, massive manhunt underway

NASHVILLE, N.C. (AP) — A massive manhunt is underway after five inmates escaped from the Nash County Detention center in North Carolina.

WRAL-TV reports that Sheriff Keith Stone says the inmates forced through a whole in a fence in the exercise yard at 3:30 p.m. on Monday and escaped. He said it was possible the inmates knew they were in a blind spot.

The inmates are identified as 28-year-old David Marshal Viverette, 30-year-old David Ruffin Jr., 23-year-old Keonte Daemoan Murphy, 25-year-old Raheem D-Carlos Horne and 22-year-old Laquaris Rashad Battle.

Their charges range from possession of a stolen vehicle to assault by strangulation and drug possession.

Stone says the FBI and other area law enforcement departments are assisting in the search. He urged residents to lock their homes and cars while the hunt continues.

___

This story has been corrected to show the inmate escaped on Monday, not Tuesday.