2013 Ford Escape

2013 Ford Escape

MONROE, Mich. (AP) -- Monroe County authorities say a jail inmate has escaped from a work-release assignment -- in a Ford Escape.

Sheriff's officials say 27-year-old George Wingle of Monroe was last seen Friday morning driving away in the red Escape from the area where he had been working. A news release says he had discarded his red jail uniform about a mile away.

Wingle had been jailed for violating probation on an original conviction of stealing a financial transaction device and possessing drugs.

Local and state authorities are searching for him.

He was set to be released in April.