A manhunt is underway after two inmates from an Arizona prison escaped.
What We Know:
- On Saturday night, John Charpiot, 49, and David Harmon, 61, escaped the Arizona State Prison Complex in Florence, Arizona. Officials believe the two men used a large air conditioning unit as a ram to break into a closet and steal tools they later used to escape. The Arizona Department of Corrections noticed the two inmates were unaccounted for during the prison’s 8:30 p.m. headcount.
- According to NBC News, John Charpiot was serving a 35-year sentence after being convicted of child molestation and sexual abuse back in 2011. David Harmon was sentenced to 100 years in prison after being convicted on kidnapping and second-degree burglary charges in 2012. Both men are considered to be dangerous as authorities attempt to locate them.
- Colonel Heston Silbert, the Arizona Department of Public Safety director, asks the public to remain vigilant. He believes that the inmates are still in the area, possibly holed up in a nearby home.
- Silbert told reporters in a press conference on Monday, “If you as a resident in the area of the prison have noticed a neighbor hasn’t been around, or if you’ve noticed a coworker hasn’t come to work for a period of time. If it’s something that’s out of the norm, we would ask you to please call.”
Last night, 2 inmates escaped from the state prison in Florence, AZ. Law enforcement will work non-stop to locate and apprehend them.@USMarshalsHQ & I authorized a $35K reward, per escapee, for information leading to their capture. Call Silent Witness (480-WITNESS) and/or 911. pic.twitter.com/9Bw0m6KSZa
— Doug Ducey (@DougDucey) January 24, 2021
- On Sunday, Arizona Governor Doug Ducey announced a reward of $35,000 per for any information that would lead to the inmate’s capture. He also made the announcement via Twitter, saying, “Last night, 2 inmates escaped from the state prison in Florence, AZ. Law enforcement will work non-stop to locate and apprehend them.”
Anyone with possible information is urged to call the state’s silent witness tip line at 480-948-6377.
