Two inmates who have escaped a Mississippi prison Christmas Day may have been spotted at Lake Fork in Wood County. The pair should be considered dangerous. Hinds County Sheriff Tyree Jones reported on social media that the two inmates escaped from the Raymond Detention Center.
The pair are identified as Traverro McElroy, 36, and Tyler Charles Payne, 31, and went missing as staff performed a Christmas morning headcount. A van from a nearby church in Mississippi went missing at the same time. That van was lost spotted being driven into Lake Fork and two suspects were seen getting into a small compact silver or white vehicle. The vehicle is reported to be an older Honda or possibly a Toyota.
Wood County officials have not yet confirmed that the Mississippi van was occupied by the two escaped inmates at the time the van appeared at Lake Fork, but stress out of an abundance of caution, local residents should be aware of the situation.
Payne (left) has multiple tattoos including a tattoo on his neck. He is 5’11″ and 195 pounds with green eyes and a shaved head. Payne was being detained on an unrelated charge of carjacking. McElroy (right) is 5’5″ and 120 pounds and he has a dread hairstyle. McElroy was being jailed on charges of possession of a firearm and murder.
Both are considered dangerous and people are encouraged to call 911 or the Wood County Sheriff’s office 903-763-2201 or Hinds County Sheriff’s Office in Mississippi at 601-352-1521 with any information.
