3 inmates escape from southeast Missouri jail

IRONTON, Mo. (AP) - Authorities say three men escaped from a southeast Missouri jail after removing a large block from a cell wall.

Iron County Sheriff Jeff Burkett said the escape happened around 4:30 a.m. Saturday.

The St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports that the three escaped men were identified as 57-year-old Tracy Brown, 36-year-old Dwight Abernathie and 35-year-old Samuel Gillam. Brown faces charges of second-degree burglary and possession of burglary tools.

Abernathie was jailed on a first-degree assault charge. And Gillam was charged with interference with custody.

Ironton police said in a news release that the escapees are armed and that authorities don't know which direction they headed in after they left the jail..