A massive manhunt is still underway for two inmates who escaped from the Santa Rosa County Jail late on July 26.

Ricky Dale Spears, 43, and David Chapell Dixon, 20, managed to flee the jail through a design flaw in their cell.
“The inmates were able to access an opening, approximately 12 inches square, in the cell which led to a small and narrow water chase,”  a press release from the Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Department stated.  “Both inmates then gained access to the roof of the building and were able to drop down to the ground outside.”

Spears is charged with the alleged kidnapping of 14-year-old Munson girl Leah Ammons in April. His trial is set for Aug. 26.
Dixon is charged with the 2007 armed robbery of a TCBY-New York Burrito in Pace, aggravated battery and another attempted escape.
His trial was set for July 29.
“Right now, they’re trying to lay low and get out of the area,”  Haines said.  “But we’re not going to downplay the severity of their escape. They were in jail on serious charges. Desperate people do desperate things.”
Anyone with information about the whereabouts of Dixon or Spears is asked to contact the Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Office at 983-1190 or Crime Stoppers at 437-STOP. Anyone providing information through Crime Stoppers that leads to their capture is eligible for a cash reward of up to $1,000.

 

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