A massive search effort is underway in metro Atlanta after three inmates slipped out of custody from a county jail, triggering urgent warnings from law enforcement and concern across nearby communities.
According to the New York Post, authorities said the escape occurred early Monday morning at the DeKalb County Jail, located in Decatur, just east of Atlanta.
The breakout was discovered during a routine security check, according to the DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office.
Sheriff Melody Maddox said the incident is being treated as a serious breach.
“We take this breach very seriously and are working diligently to ensure these individuals are safely returned to custody as quickly as possible,” Maddox said in a statement.
Officials have not released details about how the inmates managed to escape, saying only that the circumstances remain under investigation.
What is clear, authorities said, is that the men pose a potential danger to the public. One of the escapees was being held on a murder charge, and all three were described as possibly armed.
“The public is urged to exercise extreme caution and should not approach them,” the sheriff’s office warned.
The inmates range in age from 24 to 31. The youngest of the group faces charges that include murder and armed robbery, officials said.
As word of the escape spread, multiple law enforcement agencies joined the response. The DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office Fugitive Unit is leading the search, working alongside patrol officers and outside agencies to track down the men.
Authorities did not say whether the escapees were wearing jail-issued clothing or civilian attire at the time they fled, nor did they indicate how much time passed before the breakout was detected.
The jail sits roughly 10 miles east of downtown Atlanta, an area surrounded by residential neighborhoods, businesses, and major roadways — adding urgency to the search effort.
Officials emphasized that public cooperation is critical as the manhunt continues. Residents were encouraged to remain alert, report any suspicious activity, and allow trained officers to handle any potential sightings.
While no injuries were reported in connection with the escape, the sheriff’s office acknowledged that the situation had rattled confidence and raised questions about jail security.
Maddox said updates would be shared as more information becomes available and urged patience as investigators work to determine how the inmates were able to flee.
For now, law enforcement remains focused on one priority: locating the three escapees and returning them to custody before anyone is harmed.
