2 Escaped Florence Prison Inmates Have Medical Issues

PHOENIX — Two escaped prison inmates have medical issues and attempted to rob a business in Florence, authorities said.

The Arizona Department of Public Safety released a surveillance photo on Tuesday of the two fugitives wearing long-sleeved white shirts. The attempted robbery took place on Saturday after John Charpiot and David Harmon escaped from the Arizona State Prison complex in Florence, just south of Phoenix.

DPS officials also said the two have medical issues and may try to visit drug stores or pharmacies. A search is still underway to take Charpiot and Harmon back into custody.

The two escaped from the Florence prison using tools they took from a facility room.

DPS Director Col. Heston Silbert said Monday that authorities were conducting door-to-door searches of homes not far from the prison in case the escapees were still in the area and “holed up someplace.”

Charpiot has been in prison since 2011 and was serving a 35-year sentence for molestation of a child and sexual abuse before his escape. Harmon has been in since 2012 after his conviction for kidnapping and second-degree burglary charges; he was in the middle of a 100-year sentence.

Authorities are offing rewards of $35,000 per inmate for information that leads to their arrests. Anyone with information has been asked to call 911 or Silent Witness at (480) 948-6377. Charpiot and Harmon are considered dangerous and the public should not engage them, according to DPS.

The Associated Press contributed to this reporting.