Three inmates escape from Louisiana jail

NATCHITOCHES, La., Aug. 29 (UPI) -- Three inmates, including one being held for attempted murder, escaped from a detention center in central Louisiana over the weekend.

The Natchitoches Parish Sheriff's Office said in a news release on Facebook that Willie E. Ethridge, 34; Michael Elliot, 24, and Walshea Mitchell, 35, escaped from one of the dorms at 10:16 p.m. Saturday at Natchitoches Parish Detention Center and then jumped over two rolls of razor-wire fence.

At the time of their escape, they were not armed, but authorities said they should be considered dangerous and extreme caution should be used if they are spotted.

Two inmates were last seen wearing black sweat pants and black long-sleeved sweat shirts, and the third escapee was wearing gray sweat pants and a gray long-sleeved shirt.

Ethridge was serving a sentence for attempted second-degree murder and armed robbery. He was scheduled to be released in 2037. Elliot was in prison for illegal possession of stolen items and theft of a motor vehicle. He was scheduled to be released in 2019. Mitchell was convicted of armed robbery with a weapon and attempted armed robbery.

The Natchitoches Parish Sheriff's Office and Natchitoches police are coordinating the search.