NASHVILLE, N.C. (WNCN) - Four inmates have been apprehended and one more is still on the run after a jailbreak in Nash County on Monday, according to the Nash County Sheriff's Office.
Deputies said the five inmates kicked through a fence and escaped. The sheriff's office said around 11:30 p.m. Monday that two of the inmates, David Viverette and Raheem Horne, were captured.
By 4 a.m., two more inmates had been captured — Keonte Daeman Murphy and David Anthony Ruffin.
There is a $1,500 reward for information leading to the capture of Laquaris Battle.
Sheriff Keith Stone said the men escaped at 3:30 p.m. from the complex on Washington Street in Nashville.
"These subjects were last seen crossing the fence in the exercise yard," Stone said. "They made their way into a wooded area and across a parking lot. They may have been picked up by an accomplice."
Stone confirmed the escaped inmates are Horne, 25, Battle, 22, Viverrette, 28, Ruffin, 30, and Murphy, 23.
Stone said there have been some reported sights of the inmates. Battle was last seen wearing white long johns and a white T-shirt, according to Stone.
"We have the best of the best in law enforcement and I'm sure we'll capture these individuals. We're going to work hard and work diligently until we get them back into custody," Stone said.
The inmates were outside in a fenced area where inmates play ball or exercise. Sheriff Stone said the area is monitored by a camera only. There were no deputies or jailers physically in the area -- largely due to staffing, he said. Up to 40 inmates can be in the area, but he's not sure if there were that many when the inmates took off.
He says the camera at the time was pointed in a direction away from where the men escaped. Sheriff Stone said the men probably knew it was a blindspot and took advantage of that.
"Lock your cars and lock your homes," sheriff Stone is stressing to the public. He wants anyone who sees anything out of the ordinary to call the sheriff's office or 911 right away.
Sheriff Stone said he believes the inmates got help from an outside person.
WFMY News 2 has learned inmate David Viverrette has been convicted of crimes in Guilford County. According to the Department of Corrections website, Viverrette was convicted and served time in 2015 for Obtaining Property by False Pretense.
He was in the Nash County jail awaiting a July court date on multiple charges that include Possession of a Stolen Vehicle, Robbery and Entry of Real Property.
Ruffin is a registered sex offender who was convicted in 2009 of indecent liberties with a minor.
Murphy is also a registered sex offender. He was convicted in 2014 of indecent liberties with a minor with the victim being 11 years old.
The Department Corrections lists Horne's primary offense as felony breaking and entering.
Battle is in jail on attempted felonious restraint.
Agencies helping the Nash County Sheriff's Office include the US Marshal's Office, NC State Highway Patrol, NC SBI and a call has been placed to the FBI.
Stone said the escape could have been "very easy." The inmates in the exercise area were being monitored by a camera system. The camera was turned in a different direction, creating a blind spot.
Stone said there was no guard physically in the yard during the escape. He doesn't believe they had help from anyone on the inside.
"They saw a weak spot in our infrastructure and took advantage of it," Stone said.
Stone said the fence had been recently repaired, but added the escape highlights the need for updates to the facility, which was built in the 1970s.
Miranda Pele said she went to visit her dad, who lives near the jail, when she saw deputies searching the area.
"He was freaked out, too, checking his truck, checking the stuff in the backyard. They came by a couple times asking, 'Did you see anybody? Did you see five guys in orange jumpsuits? No," Pele said.
Deputies could be seen searching off Highway 64 near Nash Community College. Stone wants anyone that sees something to contact the sheriff's office or 911.
Any info on the whereabouts of these five inmates please call 252-459-1510.