3 Escaped Jail Inmates Caught Near Peoria; 1 Still At Large

FARMINGTON, IL — As of Thursday night, police have apprehended three of four inmates who escaped from Fulton County Jail Wednesday night.

Eugene Roets, 22, was taken into custody "in the Peoria area," Fulton County Emergency Services and Disaster Agency said in an alert on social media around 4:30 p.m. Jesse Davis, 34, was taken into custody "in the Farmington area" around 6:45 p.m.

Police took Cody Villalobos, 26, into custody in western Peoria County around 9:30 p.m.

A manhunt is still underway for the remaining escaped inmate, Zachary J. Hart, 36, who is considered to be "armed and dangerous." Police conducted aerial searches, ground searches and building checks around Farmington and surrounding areas Thursday evening.

On Wednesday night, police found one inmate missing from a cell block late Wednesday and, "upon further investigation," discovered three more inmates had escaped. The convicted felons had all been charged with weapons offenses, with at least one having been charged with home invasion.

After the escape, area residents were advised to lock their homes and cars. Fulton County jail is in Lewistown, Illinois, about 40 miles from Peoria.

The inmate who is still missing is:

• Zachary J. Hart, 36, charged with possession of a weapon by a felon, possession of a weapon without a FOID, home invasion, aggravated domestic battery, possession of a stolen debit card, fleeing and eluding a police officer, obstruction of justice

Residents should notify police immediately if they see Hart. "Under no circumstances should they be approached," police advise.

Since the Wednesday night escape, the Fulton County Sheriff's Office had been working with the United States Marshal Fugitive Task Force, Illinois State Police, Knox, Fulton, Peoria, and Mason County Sheriff’s Offices, Canton, Farmington, Lewistown, and Havana Police Departments. Illinois Department of Corrections to try to locate the inmates.

Call 911 if you have any information or have seen Hart. Police advise calling Fulton County Jail at 309-547-2277 if your car is missing.