Inmates on the Run After Prison-Farm Escape

JACKSON, N.C. — Authorities are looking for two inmates who left their work assignment at a Northampton County prison farm Wednesday and robbed two hunters.

The inmates, identified as Cloman Smith, 30, and Jesse McCrobie, 27, left the Odom Prison Farm in Jackson sometime after noon but before 2 p.m., Keith Acree, a spokesman for the North Carolina Department of Correction said.

Authorities consider Smith and McCrobie armed and dangerous. They are also wanted for allegedly robbing two hunters at a Northampton hunting club at about 11:15 p.m. Wednesday.

"They advised them they would not hurt them if they complied with what they were requesting," Northampton County Sheriff Wardie Vincent said.

Acree said one of the inmates apparently used a machete to carry out the robbery, but it was unclear where it came from.

Authorities said they tied up the victims with duct tape and took their wallets, cell phones, a 9 mm pistol, 7 mm rifle, .223 caliber rifle and a red and gold 2005 F-150 pickup truck with North Carolina license plate WXN-9873.

Onslow County authorities said a sheriff's deputy spotted a truck matching that description in the southwest area of that county at about 6 a.m. Thursday. The eputy tried to stop it but it got away.

Onslow authorities also said McCrobie has family and friends there and that Smith has family in Forsyth County.

Anyone with any information about the inmates' whereabouts is asked to contact local law enforcement.

Smith and McCrobie are serving sentences at Tillery Correctional Facility, a minimum-security prison in Halifax County, and were assigned to work at the poultry house at the farm.

Smith is serving a 12.5-year sentence as a habitual felony and is set to be released in 2010.

McCrobie is serving a 3-year sentence for a number of crimes, including drug possession, drug sales, felony breaking-and-entering, larceny and driving while impaired. He is set to be released in September 2009.