Feds join search for three escapees

LOUISVILLE, Ky., March 26 (UPI) -- Federal officials said Thursday they had joined state and local authorities in the weeklong search for three escaped Indiana convicts.

Police, searching in Indiana and Kentucky, said they believe the trio stole a truck near the prison and beat and robbed three brothers in Sanders, Ky., about 65 miles east of Louisville, Ky., CNN said.

The U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives added federal charges of possessing firearms to the allegations against the escaped convicts, an ATF spokesman said.

Authorities identified the fugitives, considered armed and dangerous, as Christopher Marshall, Jerry Sargent and Bobby Cockerell .