Oklahoma Inmates Escape, Could Be Armed: Authorities

ORIENTA, OK —Two inmate escaped by overpowering two transport officers and stealing a prison transport van about 80 miles northwest of Oklahoma City, authorities said. And they could be armed.

Inmates Andrew Foy and Darren Walp stole the van around 3:30 a.m. Tuesday and drove it on U.S. 412, near Fairview, Major County Sheriff Steve Randolph said. Authorities found the van about 13 miles away in Ringwood, along with an empty gun holster. An oilfield company truck was later reported stolen in the area.

The inmates were being taken by a transport company to a correctional facility in Kansas, authorities said. It was not immediately clear where the inmates were from or what crimes they committed. Neither man appears to have ties to Major County, the department said in a Facebook comment. Both are from a different state. (For more information on the escape and other Oklahoma stories, subscribe to Patch to receive daily newsletters and breaking news alerts. If you have an iPhone, click here to get the free Patch iPhone app.)

"But we should all stay vigilant," the comment said.

Photos credit: Major County Sheriff's Office Facebook Page