CHESTERFIELD COUNTY, S.C. — A manhunt is underway for four inmates who escaped the Chesterfield County jail.
[ READ MORE: Chesterfield County inmate captured after escaping through open door ]
In a news release Tuesday, the Chesterfield County Sheriff’s Office said they’re looking for Emanuel Robson Planco, Anton Conway Bennett, Kyonne Marquise McLeod and De’Shawn Malik Fox. The sheriff’s office said the four men got out around 11 p.m. Monday.
According to Chesterfield County Sheriff Cambo Streater, it was morning before anyone noticed they were gone.
“We’re looking at all the video we have and determining exactly what happened,” Streater said.
Streater said the jail, which has a capacity of about 95 prisoners, had about 130 Tuesday morning. He said the men were in an overflow area and somehow managed to kick down a steel door, get outside, and scale a barbed wire fence to get away.
It’s the third jailbreak there in two years. In July, a prisoner escaped by walking out of a door someone left propped open. And in 2023, an accused murderer climbed out of a window.
After the July incident, Streater said a new jail was needed to enhance security. He said the same thing on Tuesday.
[ READ MORE: Chesterfield County inmate back in custody after escape, sheriff’s office says ]
“We do need a new facility, and it needs to be replaced for a lot of reasons,” he said. “Also, as I said, we’re investigating and part of our investigation will be to determine if any personnel were involved in this. If there is, we will take the appropriate action.”
As for the inmates on the run, deputies are working with state police and multiple other agencies to find the inmates. They’re even searching in other counties.
“It’s sad. It’s sad, I don’t understand it,” said neighbor Lynne Davis. “As many as they have employed, you’d think they are better taken care of.”
One of the four prisoners, De’Shawn Fox, was accused of a violent crime. He was being held on a charge out of Darlington County for accessory to a robbery with a deadly weapon.
The men are all wanted for escape, in addition to the charges already filed against them.
Anyone with information is asked to call the Chesterfield County Sheriff’s Office tip line at 843-287-0235.
This is developing story. Check back for updates.
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