Jacob Allen Morley escapes Tennessee prison, linked to Wisconsin bank heist

Jacob Allen Morley, a Tennessee inmate serving a life sentence, is on the run after escaping from the Northwest Correctional Complex on Monday. His flight has drawn a wide net of law enforcement as authorities connect his escape to a recent armed robbery in Wisconsin.

Dane County officials reported that a gunman entered the Bank of Deerfield in Lake County shortly before closing time on Tuesday. He demanded cash, restrained two employees, and exited the building without hurting anyone. The suspect took a Lincoln MKZ from the parking lot to flee. The vehicle was later located unoccupied.

Morley was last seen stealing a white 2008 Ford F-150 marked with Lindamood Planting Company. Police found that truck abandoned in Marion, Illinois, early Tuesday. They stated there is no current evidence that Morley is still in that specific region. The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation has not yet confirmed that Morley is the gunman in Wisconsin, though they are actively investigating the potential link.

U.S. Marshal Tyreece Miller for the Western District of Tennessee is leading the search. He has raised the reward for information leading to Morley's arrest to $15,000. Miller described the fugitive as dangerous and listed him on the Tennessee Most Wanted List.

Morley was convicted of the 2022 murder of Cody Birchfield. Daniel Russell, a friend of the victim, told investigators that Morley is a monster who will do it again. Residents are asked to call 1-800-TBI-FIND with any information. If they spot Morley, they should not approach him and should call 911 immediately.