$40K reward offered to find and capture two missing Vance County inmates

The FBI and Vance County Crime Stoppers are offering a combined reward of up to $40,000 to find and capture two inmates who escaped from the Vance County Detention Center on Wednesday. Officials said a reward of up to $20,000 is offered for each individual. 

Deputies said Michel Miles, 33, and Lishawn Knott, 21, escaped around 2 p.m. According to the US Department of Justice, both Miles and Knott knew each other before they were arrested.

Officials said both men were being held for multiple state drug trafficking and gun-related charges.

WRAL's Sky 5 flew over a nearby scene on Ransom and Breckenridge streets where authorities were searching for the two missing inmates. Deputies say both are considered armed and dangerous. 

Not long after the search began in Vance County, law enforcement in Wake County was told to be alert. 

"Wake units, be advised of a jail break: inmates from Vance County, going to be two black males heading towards the apartments on Young Street, two possible suspect vehicles, including an older model Chevy Tahoe... a black Ford pickup truck," according to Broadcastify emergency response radio traffic. 

Officials said Miles is 6 feet tall and weighs about 180 pounds. He has black hair and brown eyes and a prominent neck tattoo.

Knott is 5’11 and weighs about 160 pounds, has black hair and brown eyes, and has numerous face tattoos, including a large cross on his forehead.

Officials ask nearby residents to check their home security cameras or trail/hunting camera footage to assist in real-time tracking of the two inmates.

Officials also ask residents to lock their cars, close their garage doors and lock up their sheds.

This escape had brought other concerns about safety and security at the jail to light. Ashley McSwain, whose fiancé is incarcerated there, said she contacted jail officials in the last week about safety and security concerns, including cell doors not locking and a lack of inmate supervision. 

"There has been reports that a lot of the cells are broken; they don't lock or latch," McSwain said. "So if there is an inmate with some issues on the streets, you're probably gonna get beat down because the cells are not locking."

WRAL News reached out to the Vance County Sheriff's Office about McSwain's claims, as well as how the inmates were able to escape and how they were able to gain access to a firearm so quickly after getting out. We have not yet received a response. 

Deputies encourage anyone who may see the inmates not to approach them but instead to call the Vance County Sheriff’s Office at (252) 738-2200 or Henderson-Vance Crime Stoppers at (252) 492-1925. People can also submit anonymous tips through the P3 Tips mobile app.

The investigation is still ongoing.