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WE'VE SEEN PATROL CARS UP AND DOWN HIGHWAY 468 AND SURROUNDING NEIGHBORHOODS ALL AFTERNOON.... NEIGHBORS SAY - THAT'S MAKING THEM FEEL BETTER - BUT THEY AREN'T TAKING ANY CHANCES ... SO MUCH SO- MANY OF THEM WERE AFRAID TO SPEAK TO ME ON CAMERA. TOMMY WELLS :21-:24 "A LOT OF ACTIVITY GOING ON ... HIGHWAY PATROL POLICE SHERIFFS HELICOPTERS..." BUMP TO :33 - :35 "JUST BEING ALERT AND TRYING TO BE SAFE" TOMMY WELLS LIVES ON WEST PETROSS ROAD IN PEARL... WHERE INVESTIGATORS SAY ... ESCAPED INMATES - JONATHAN BLANKENSHIP AND CHRISTOPHER BENSON HIGH ... MIGHT HAVE STOLEN CAMOUFLAGE AND OTHER GEAR FROM A STORAGE BUILDING - CLOSE TO HIS HOME. TOMMY WELLS 1:14 - 1:23 "I TOOK ALL MY WEAPONS OUT OF MY VEHICLE , PUT THEM INSIDE .. MAKE SURE I LOCK THEM AND THEY ARE SECURE... BUMP TO :01-:04 PUT THE ALARM SYSTEM ON SO... I FEEL SAFE" ABOUT A MILE UP THE ROAD FROM WELLS HOME - AT ED LITTLE'S CONSTRUCTION BUSINESS ON HWY 468 - CLEAR SIGNS THAT THE 2 ESCAPED INMATES HAD BEEN HIDING THERE OVER THE WEEKEND.. THEY HAD BEER CANS... FOOD AND MORE. ED LITTLE / BUSINESS OWNER FROM 6- "SO I GET HERE THIS MORNING AND I FIND SUITCASES WITH THEIR CLOTHES IN THEM, SOME CAMOUFLAGE AND SOME STUFF THEY HAD GOTTEN FROM A GARDEN ON THE WAY UP AND A COUPLE OF SHANKS" INVESTIGATORS SAY THEY HAD ALSO BROKEN INTO A NEARBY BUILDING ... NOT TOO FAR FROM THAT CONSTRUCTION BUSINESS.... AND LESS THAN 4 MILES FROM THE CENTRAL MISSISSIPPI CORRECTIONAL INSTITUTE. SHERIFF BRYAN BAILEY FROM 6 "THESE GUYS DON'T WANT TO BE FOUND - THEY HAVE GONE UP TO ANYONE'S HOME THEY ARE INTENTIONALLY AVOIDING DETECTION" NOW - AUTHORITIES BELIEVE THE TWO - ARE REACHING OUT TO FRIENDS AND FAMILY THROUGH A CELLPHONE FOR HELP. CHIEF DEAN KIRBY/ PEARL POLICE "UNTIL WE CAN PROVE THEY ARE NOT HERE THE SHERIFF AND I BOTH AGREE THE PRESENCE WILL STAY HEAVY IN THIS AREA." SHERIFF BAILEY - "I BELIEVE THE KEY TO CATCHING THESE GUYS IS A TIP FROM THE PUBLIC" RESIDENTS ARE BEING TOLD TO USE EXTREME CAUTION- NOT TO LEAVE ANYTHING

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Mississippi prison officials said two escaped prison inmates are still believed to be in Rankin County. Jonathan Blankenship, 31, and Christopher Benson High, 28, escaped Friday from the Central Mississippi Correctional Facility in Rankin County, officials with the Mississippi Department of Corrections said. MDOC officers searched an area of Pearson Road, south of Interstate 20, on Monday after receiving a tip that the two escapees might be there. A hat and clothing were found at an electrical business on Highway 468 and South Pearson Road, said Cpl. Kervin Stewart, with the Mississippi Highway Patrol. Ed Little, who owns a construction company in the area, said it appears the fugitives camped several nights at his business. They left behind beer cans, prison-made knives, camouflage clothes and some food, Little said."They must have broke in -- obviously they broke in. On the back of my shop that backs up to the railroad tracks, a piece of the wall was torn off where they had walked in," Little said.Stewart said the escapees broke into a camper and stole the items that were later found at Little's business in the area of Pearson Road and Highway 468."We believe they may still be in the area," Stewart said.Search dogs have been called in to continue the search for Blankenship and High, who MDOC officials said are considered armed and dangerous.Blankenship is serving a five-year sentence for aggravated assault on a police officer. High is serving 12 years for a burglary and larceny conviction.Another escaped inmate, Bennie Ray Blansett, 59, was captured by MDOC officers without incident about 11 p.m. Saturday at a checkpoint on Lombardi Road in Sunflower County. Blansett escaped Friday from the Mississippi State Penitentiary in Sunflower County. Blansett is serving life for six sentences, including two convictions for uttering forgery, aggravated assault on a police officer, burglary and escape, all in Marion County, and escape in Sunflower County. Rewards up to $12,500 are being offered as the MDOC continues to aggressively search for Blankenship and High with help from local, state and federal agencies. The FBI is offering $10,000 and Mississippi Crime Stoppers is offering up to $2,500.If you see Blankenship and High, call the MDOC at 662-745-6611, ext. 4200; Crime Stoppers at 601-355-TIPS (8477)' the Mississippi Bureau of Investigation (MBI) at 601-987-1530; or your nearest law enforcement agency. MDOC officials believe Blankenship and High are wearing white shirts and red pants.