Reward of up to $40K offered, billboards go up in search for escaped Vance County inmates
HENDERSON, N.C. (WTVD) -- Two inmates who escaped from the Vance County Detention Center earlier this week had their getaway planned, Vance County Sheriff Curtis Brame said Friday.
"I know you want to hear details about the manhunt, but we can't talk about what we are doing; we don't want Miles and Knott to hear what we know about their movements," Brame said. "They planned their escape in advance, they were picked up nearby, and they are being helped while they are on the run."
"The full force of these investigative teams is making significant progress to find them," Brame said Saturday. "If you know where they are and don't report their location to law enforcement, you're at risk of facing local, state, or federal charges yourself. Now is the time to turn them in."
New digital billboards went up across the state on Thursday as the search expanded for the two, who escaped around 2 p.m. on Wednesday from the facility in Henderson.
Authorities are searching for Michael "Mike Mike" Lewis Miles Jr., 33, and Lishawn Knott, 21, who were both arrested on drug and weapons charges, according to court records.
"We are making significant progress to find them and to identify anyone and everyone involved in their escape," Brame said. "To anyone who knows where they are now, who assisted or supported them, now is the time to turn them in before anyone is hurt. I want everyone in my community to be safe, every law enforcement officer to be safe, and I want these escapees to be captured safely."
Brame said the two should be considered armed and dangerous.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation, the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation, the Henderson Police Department, and other law enforcement partners are all assisting with the manhunt.
The FBI and the Vance County Crime Stoppers are offering a combined reward of up to $40,000 to find and capture the escapees. Up to $20,000 for each individual. They may be traveling together or separately.
"The safety of our community is our highest priority. We are utilizing all available resources to locate these individuals as quickly as possible," Brame said. "We ask the public to remain vigilant and immediately report any sightings or information that may assist law enforcement in bringing this incident to a safe resolution."
The FBI said Miles and Knott knew each other before the escape.
Miles is described as 6 feet tall, approximately 180 pounds, with black and brown eyes and a prominent neck tattoo. Knott is about 5-11, about 160 pounds, with black hair and brown eyes, with numerous face tattoos, including a large cross on his forehead.
The FBI is asking the public to check their home surveillance video or trail/hunting camera images to assist in real-time tracking of the escapees.
Residents are urged to lock their vehicles, close their garage doors, and lock up their sheds. Anyone who sees the suspects should not approach them.
The North Carolina Outdoor Advertising Association donated available digital billboard space, an FBI spokesperson said.
Anyone with information about this search is asked to immediately contact 911 or the Vance County Sheriff's Office at (252) 738-2200 or Henderson-Vance Crime Stoppers at (252) 492-1925. Anonymous tips may also be submitted through the P3 Tips mobile application.
