Published: February 09, 2007 10:05 am      

ESCAPEE BULLETIN: Juveniles back in custody

The three juveniles who escaped from custody Monday who were considered armed and dangerous were apprehended shortly after 12:35 p.m. Thursday at the Heritage Inn. At the time the following story was written, the escapees were still on the loose. More updates will be published as information becomes available.

A juvenile detention officer was knocked unconscious and locked in a jail cell when three juveniles escaped from custody Monday night. As of Thursday, a search for the trio was continuing.

Juvenile detention officer William B. Jones, 61, was taken by ambulance to Cumberland Medical Center's emergency room where he was treated and later released.

"He was roughed up pretty good," Sheriff Butch Burgess said Wednesday. "But he is going to be all right. I am sure he is pretty sore."

The trio have been publicly identified by authorities because they have been linked to one residential burglary, and may be responsible for at least two more in the area of Plateau Rd. from U.S. 70 N to Linder Loop.

The juveniles are identified as Jeff "Will" Bell of Sweet Gum Drive, 6 feet, 160 pounds, with brown hair and blue eyes. He's wearing a blue hoody and jeans. Tyler Flowers of Jim Garrett Road, is 5 foot 6, 119 pounds with blond hair and blue eyes, wearing a grey hooded shirt and jeans. The third escapee is Samuel Wilfong of George Branch Road, 6 feet, 180 pounds, with brown hair and blue eyes.

Photos of the three have been distributed to law enforcement officers but have not been released to the media.

Two of the juveniles were already in the detention center located behind the courthouse Monday night when Deputy Kevin Davis delivered Wilfong shortly after 9 p.m. to the facility on a probation violation detainer. He was ordered held without bond by the Juvenile Court.

Burgess said Wednesday morning that it was policy to have two corrections officers on duty when two or more juveniles are being held. For unknown reasons, Jones was by himself.

Around 11:45 p.m., Bell asked Jones to give him some of his clothes and when Jones opened the cell door, Bell allegedly grabbed him and pulled him inside. One of the other two escapees jumped on the jailer's back and in the melee that followed, Jones was knocked unconscious, according to Crossville Police Sgt. Bart Riden's report.

Jones regained consciousness to observe the trio with his wallet and keys. Jones told police he tried to talk the three out of running, but was told the three expected to be sent off into state custody and they fled. It is not known if they fled in Jones' vehicle.

Jones remained locked in the cell until about 6:40 a.m. Tuesday when the sister of one of the detainees showed up at the detention building. She called 911 to alert police of the escape.

Tuesday night the grandmother of one of the escapees told authorities that she discovered the three had broken into her home. The three fled when confronted by the grandmother.

It is also believed that the trio are responsible for two additional break-ins during which weapons, food and other items were taken. Deputies and tracking dogs have worked around the clock in the area of Plateau Rd. and Hwy. 70 N in an attempt to locate and apprehend the three.

One was reportedly scheduled to be taken to Taft Youth Center near Spencer. A second teen was scheduled to be released from custody on Wednesday, according to law enforcement sources.

The escape has resulted in a pre-cautionary lockdown of area schools and sent law enforcement searching throughout the county. School officials said they have taken advantage of the situation to test the school system's lockdown plan and that officials are unaware of any threat made toward local schools or students.

Thursday morning the mother of one of the three issued a plea to her son to turn himself in. The mother of Will Bell told Peg Broadcasting News that she and family members love him, want him to be safe and turn himself in.

Anyone with information on these escapees is asked to call the sheriff's department at 484-6176.