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$70K reward offered after 2 inmates escape from Arizona prison

FLORENCE, Ariz. — Authorities are offering up to $70,000 in reward money in the search for two inmates who escaped from an Arizona prison over the weekend.

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According to the Arizona Republic, David T. Harmon and John B. Charpiot, inmates at the Arizona State Prison Complex in Florence, knocked down an air conditioner to get into the prison’s tool room, obtained lineman’s pliers and a bolt cutter, and used the items to cut through a fence, officials said.

Harmon, who was convicted of kidnapping and burglary, and Charpiot, who was serving a 35-year sentence for child molestation and sexual abuse, were last seen during an inmate count at 4 p.m. Saturday, the Arizona Department of Corrections, Rehabilitation and Re-entry said in a news release. The men, both medium-security inmates, were not present during a second count at 8:30 p.m., the release said.

“This is currently ADCRR’s top priority, and all available resources are being employed to the search effort,” the release said. “The department has dispatched its chase teams, tracking dog teams and fugitive apprehension unit to find the fugitive inmates. Local authorities and the Arizona Department of Public Safety are also assisting in the search. The department will not rest until these inmates have been apprehended.”

On Sunday, Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey tweeted that he and the U.S. Marshals Service authorized a reward of up to $35,000 per escapee.

If you have information about the inmates’ whereabouts, call 911 or Silent Witness at 1-480-WITNESS.

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