APALACHICOLA, Fla. — Law enforcement officers are warning people who live in an area of North Florida to lock their doors and cars after an inmate escaped a state prison on Monday.
Robert Rutherford walked away from his work crew site at the 10 Foot Hole in Apalachicola, the Franklin County Sheriff's Office said in a Facebook post. He reportedly has an extensive criminal history, including armed burglary and grand theft.
"We appreciate the people that called that saw him," Sheriff A.J. "Tony" Smith said in a Facebook video post. "Please if you see him, call 911. Don't wait. Call us immediately."
The sheriff said Rutherford was seen at a cemetery on Chestnut Street and appeared to be heading north from that location.
People who live on 6th, 7th or 8th Street in Apalachicola and have security cameras are asked by the sheriff's office to look at their footage for any sighting of Rutherford.
He was last seen wearing blue pants and a T-shirt but may now have on different clothes, authorities say.
The sheriff's office says the Apalachicola Police Department, Department of Corrections and Leon County law enforcement have helped them with the search since Monday night. K-9 units and helicopters are also being used to find Rutherford.
"Be cautious and aware of your surroundings at this time," the sheriff's office says.
Anyone who happens to see the escaped inmate is urged to not approach him. Instead, people are asked to call 911 or 850-670-8500.
"We don't take anything for granted when you have someone who is a habitual offender that walks away from their punishment," Smith said. "We take that very seriously and there's potential for anything that can happen."
