Police in Kentucky are on the trail of three escaped inmates from Indiana who are considered armed and dangerous.
On Friday, 31-year-old Bobby Cockerell, Christopher Marshall, 49, and Jerry Sargent, 59, escaped from the Branchville Correctional facility near Tell City, Ind.
Police say the escaped inmates assaulted two men and stole a pick-up truck in Carroll County around 9:30 a.m. Monday morning.
The victim, Richard Marshall, reportedly went to check on a barn at his property along KY 36 when he was attacked by the men and tied up.
His brother Keith who was inside the home was also tied up. The inmates ransacked the home, stole food, clothes and several thousand dollars in cash. While they were going through the house a third brother named Barry arrived. He was also forced to the ground and tied up.
"There was a 12 gauge shotgun, two .22 rifles, three 9 mm handguns, two high powered rifles and a large amount of ammo for each. They took food, they took clothing, basically the clothes they got were blue jeans and flannel shirts. They were in the house for a good while, they talked to them about not calling the police for a good two hours, if they did they would come back and kill them," said Sheriff Ben Smith, of Carroll County.
Authorities say the escaped inmates also ripped the phone out of the wall, stole as many as 10 different weapons and took off in a truck. They were last seen wearing flannel shirts and blue jeans.
The man who was assaulted was taken to the hospital in Louisville with an injury to his head.
According to authorities, the escapees were last seen on KY 36 in Sanders, Ky., in the stolen truck -- described as a 1998, green, extended cab, 4X4, Ford Ranger with Kentucky license plate 7825-BZ. The vehicle has a dent on a rear fender and part of the lower spoiler on the front end is missing.
The men are described as:
Christopher Marshall, a white male, approximately 5'8" tall, 188 lbs., green eyes, brown hair Jerry Sargent, a white male, approximately 6'5" tall, 210lbs., blue eyes, red hair Bobby Cockerell, a white male, approximately 6'2" tall, 220 lbs., brown eyes, brown hairThe escaped inmates were serving long sentences for armed robbery, dealing cocaine and burglary.
"The main thing I would like to tell you is that these guys are very dangerous and well armed and whoever confronts them, whatever law enforcement agency confronts them, I believe there will be a fight. If a civilian was to see them, do not, do not approach them. Just call the local authorities," Carroll County Sheriff Ben Smith said.
If you see the men call 911 or your local law enforcement agency. Authorities urge people not to approach the men because they are considered very dangerous.
