Two Killers Escape From Prison In New York – $100,000 Reward
In New York, two convicted killers escape from a maximum security prison after a sophisticated plot. The U.S. Marshalls Service issued a federal arrest warrant. Richard Matt and David Sweat pulled off a complex escape plan, causing Governor Andrew Cuomo to announce a $100,000 reward for tips and information leading to their arrest.
Photo: In the cell of one of escaped inmates, looking at the hole cut in the wall as part of escape pic.twitter.com/tGAtt8xHyb
— Archive: Governor Andrew Cuomo (@NYGovCuomo) June 6, 2015
U.S. Marshalls Service spokeman, William O’Toole, made a statement.
“Every resource available to us will be used in bringing these two men to justice.”
The Inquisitr reported that the two prisoners used power tools and decoys to appear as themselves sleeping. Matt, 49, and Sweat, 35, were missing by Saturday morning, following a Friday night standing count that took place at 10:30 p.m. when they were last seen. They cut through a steel wall and traveled through tunnels to get to a manhole outside of the prison.
New York State Police has asserted that “all available assets are being brought to bear,” according to Maj. Charles Guess.
The prison facility is only 80 miles south of Canada, and authorities on both Canadian and Mexican borders have been notified.
Although prison head counts take place every two hours, the two killers tricked guards by creating decoys to sleep in their bunks in hooded sweatshirts.
Clinton Correctional Facility Supervisor Steven Racette confirmed the prison counts were done every two hours, but guards did not notice the two prisoners missing until the morning’s standing count at 5:30 a.m. This means they avoided being seen for about seven hours.
Questions have arisen about how the inmates acquired the power tools. The company that employs the maintenance workers at the prison is cooperating with the investigation. The escape plan through elaborate mazes and tunnels required drilling through steel walls and steel pipes.
Troopers at a checkpoint along NY Route 3 in Saranac continuing search for escapees. http://t.co/9T3eGKTVW4 pic.twitter.com/HrZwtkGozF
— NewYorkStatePolice (@nyspolice) June 7, 2015
“These are dangerous people,” Governor Cuomo said. “They are nothing to be trifled with.”
Richard Matt weighs 210 pounds and is 6 feet tall, a Caucasian man with black hair, hazel eyes and several tattoos: “Mexico Forever” on his back, a heart on his chest and left shoulder, and a Marine Corps insignia on his right shoulder. His convicted crimes were murder, kidnapping, and robbery.
David Sweat is a Caucasian man, weighing 165 pounds at 5 feet, 11 inches in height. He has brown hair, green eyes and tattoos on his left bicep and right fingers. He was serving life without parole for killing a sheriff’s deputy.
Authorities ask anyone who sees the two killers to call New York State Police or 911.
