3 inmates charged with murder and arson escape from county jail near Atlanta

Three inmates escaped from a county jail near Atlanta, Georgia, and remain at large, according to officials. The inmates are facing charges that include murder, armed robbery, and arson.

The escape was discovered early Monday during a routine security check at the jail in Decatur, east of downtown Atlanta, according to the DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office. Officials said internal security teams began a search and are working with other local law enforcement agencies to locate the inmates.

Officials did not release details about how the inmates escaped or when the escape occurred.

The sheriff’s office identified the fugitives as 24-year-old Stevenson Charles, who is charged with murder and armed robbery; 31-year-old Yusuf Minor, who is charged with two counts of armed robbery and two counts of possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony; and 25-year-old Naod Yohannes, who is charged with simple assault, arson, and unlawful acts of violence in a penal institution.

Authorities said the inmates may be armed and are considered dangerous. The public is urged not to approach them and to exercise caution.

“We take this breach very seriously and are working diligently to ensure these individuals are safely returned to custody as quickly as possible,” said Sheriff Melody M. Maddox.

Anyone with information about their whereabouts is asked to contact the DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office Fugitive Tip Line at 404-298-8200.