Story highlights Authorities: Fight might have been staged to distract to help escape

"This was a very sophisticated escape," Sheriff's spokesman says

One escapee facing kidnapping, torture charges; another facing murder charges

(CNN) A manhunt is underway in California for three inmates, including one who is accused of murder and another accused of torture, who escaped an Orange County jail Friday, authorities said.

"This was a very sophisticated escape. They cut through a quarter-inch metal plate," Orange County Sheriff's Lt. Jeff Hallock said Monday. "They crawled through unsecured plumbing tunnels to the roof. They cut through steel rebar."

They rappelled four to five stories some 50 feet high, using sheets, he said.

Jonathan Tieu, 20, was in jail on murder charges; Hossein Nayeri, 37, was in jail for allegedly torturing and kidnapping; and Bac Tien Duong, 43, was facing attempted murder charges.

Authorities warned that the men are extremely dangerous and asked that if anyone has information about the men they should call 911 immediately.

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