Manhunt underway for three Florida jail escapees
Authorities are searching for three inmates who escaped from Wakulla County jail in the Florida panhandle early Friday morning.
Based on the Wakulla County Sheriff’s Office’s preliminary investigation, the inmates used a “breach” in the ceiling of the jail’s Law Library to escape around 12:09 a.m.
The WCSO is looking for 3 escaped inmates. Joel Cooper, Donald Cotterman, & Casey Brandon escaped at 12:09 am from the WCSO Jail please click link for more details https://t.co/Us7gM6sC3I pic.twitter.com/MgoOks9xLY
— Wakulla Sheriff (@WakullaSheriff) November 17, 2017
The inmates who escaped are Joel Cooper, 43, Donald Cotterman, 44, and Casey Brandon, 25. Each of them were in jail for various charges, including burglary. The sheriff’s office said that Cotterman is also a registered sex offender.
Deputies say that they have no reason to believe the men to be armed but as escaped inmates, they are considered to be dangerous.
An order for Wakulla residents to remain indoors has not been issued, but the public is asked to remain cautious and alert.
In Wakulla County, authorities are focusing their search on heavily wooded areas, the sheriff’s office said.
Anyone with tips regarding the escape of these inmates is asked to contact the Wakulla County Sheriff’s Office at (850) 926-0800 or (850) 745-7100.
This story was originally published November 17, 2017 at 10:27 AM with the headline "Manhunt underway for three Florida jail escapees."