5 prisoners escape from eastern Missouri jail

Five inmates have escaped from the Pike County Jail in eastern Missouri.

Authorities say an inmate's family member called the sheriff's office Saturday night to report an escape. A check of the jail revealed that the inmates were missing.

Authorities determined that the escapees had removed a stainless steel shower head controller. They then gained access to a service area and exited the building in Bowling Green, which is 70 miles northwest of St. Louis.

Three of the missing inmates are from the Missouri town of Louisiana — 22-year-old Jacob A. Darnell, 25-year-old Jason A. Darnell and 27-year-old Emanuel G. Chatman. Also on the run are 49-year-old Joseph A. Verive of Elsberry and 40-year-old William John Thomas Wilkerson Jr. of Florissant.