Two were convicted of murder, two of armed robbery, one of child abuse, one of being a serial rapist, and one of burglary and rape. They are being called the most dangerous men in Texas. They've demonstrated their disregard for life and law enforcement. In that robbery, the escapees are believed to have made off with 25 weapons, ammunition, winter clothing, cash and an employee's vehicle, which they later abandoned. They already were well-armed after taking 16 weapons, including a high powered rifle, shotgun and ammunition, when they broke out of the Connally Unit prison at Kenedy, about 60 miles southeast of San Antonio.
Officials say the seven escaped by overpowering prison workers and a trusty.
They changed into the workers' clothes and broke into a guard shack, where they stole weapons. They then fooled guards in charge of perimeter security and escaped in a prison worker's private vehicle. The prison break was well-planned and carried out in a disciplined, almost military way, authorities say. Police in the Houston suburb of Pearland say they have linked two of the escapees to a robbery of a Radio Shack store Dec. 15 in which police scanners and other radio equipment were taken. Officers say they think the equipment is making it easier for the fugitives to elude police.