PINE BLUFF, Ark. — The Jefferson County community is feeling unsettled this week after learning two detainees escaped the Jefferson County Adult Detention Center.
"Anything could happen," Activist Mark Cannon said. "I don't want to say what if because there's still a possibility because they're still out on the loose. They have not been apprehended."
On Monday, the Jefferson County Sheriff's Office announced that 22-year-old Noah Roush and 23-year-old Jatonia Bryant were missing from the detention center, and authorities believe they escaped sometime within the last 48 hours.
Now, law enforcement is working around the clock to get them back into custody.
"We looked through our video cameras," Jefferson County Sheriff's Office Operations Commander Major Bean said. "We have discovered that it was Saturday [at] approximately 10 p.m. when they had exited the facility. Now, we're going to every known resident; they may have had family members, places that they were known to go to frequently."
Bean said none of the deputies were involved in the escape of Roush and Bryant, which leaves the question — how did they escape?
"From what we can determine, it was how they got access out was inside the pod area where they were specifically in an area of the shower, where they gained access into... what you could call the attic portion of the jail," Bean said. "Subsequently [they were] able to create a hole in the roof and came out through the roof."
Officials said Bryant was being detained on probable cause for capital murder, while Roush, also a homicide suspect, was being held on probable cause for residential burglary and theft of property.
Bryant is described as 5'11" tall and approximately 145 pounds. Roush is 6'2" and about 180 pounds.
Bean said both individuals are considered dangerous and should only be approached by law enforcement, making their escape a public safety concern for Cannon.
"It's up to the jail, the sheriff's department [and] the county jail to ensure the public safety by making sure all precautionary measures are taken," Cannon said. "To make sure that these people are kept where they need to be."
However, as the search continues, Bean assured their offices are doing everything they can to apprehend the two and have brought in other resources to help.
"Pine Bluff police has been assisting," Bean said. "Arkansas State Police, the U.S. Marshals, and the Arkansas Department of Correction have been assisting as well."
Anyone with information on the whereabouts of Bryant and Roush is asked to contact Bean with the Jefferson County Sheriff's Office at (870) 541-5351 or (870) 329-5638. People can also contact the Metropolitan Emergency Communication Association at (870) 541-5300.