An intense search is underway in Van Buren County following the escape of a convicted murderer.
The Van Buren County Sheriff’s Office says that Rodney Lee Jones escaped from the county jail Wednesday. According to the sheriff, Jones escaped through a hole in his cell, and used a makeshift rope to scale a nearby wall.
Authorities have brought in search dogs and aircraft to help them scour a ten-mile radius around the jail. Cars traveling along Highway 65 are also being searched.
The sheriff says Jones should be considered dangerous, but they don’t know if he’s currently armed. Nearby residents are being told to lock their doors.
Jones was last seen wearing a white t-shirt and gray sweat pants.
Jones was sentenced to life without parole earlier this month for the murder of his ex-wife. Prosecutors said Jones drove from Colorado to Van Buren County and shot his wife in front of her new husband and three children.
According to Department Of Correction officials, Jones was placed on the backup transfer list last week due to overcrowding in the prison system.
