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Search underway for 2 escapees from Rutherford County jail

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rutherford_escapees

MURFREESBORO, Tenn. (WKRN) - Authorities are searching for two inmates who escaped by overpowering a guard at the Rutherford County jail early Wednesday morning.

Dewayne Halfacre, 43, and Jonathan Baxter, 28, reportedly assaulted the detention officer, climbed over the razor wire and escaped from the facility around 12:40 a.m.

Rutherford County Sheriff’s Office deputies and Murfreesboro police officers are searching the area near New Salem Highway along with K-9 officers and a Tennessee Highway Patrol helicopter, according to a release.

The guard was injured in the attack and treated by paramedics.

Both Halfacre and Baxter were last seen wearing white T-shirts and orange pants.

Halfacre is being held for aggravated assault and Baxter is being held for failing to appear in court on a theft charge.

Halfacre was once on the TBI's Most Wanted List after he and an accomplice were charged in an armed robbery of an Almaville market. He was arrested near Chattanooga after a five-day manhunt.

The sheriff’s office asks if anyone spots them, to call 911 immediately and to not approach them.

Anyone with additional information is urged to call the sheriff’s office at 615-898-7770.