News of the Nature Coast of Florida

INGLIS - An inmate incarcerated at the Corrections Corporation of America jail in Lecanto escaped while in the custody of a Citrus County Sheriff's Office detective shortly after 1 p.m. today.

Terry N. Davis, who was in jail for a multitude of charges ranging from grand theft to fleeing and eluding a police officer, escaped from custody in the vicinity of Allen's Bait & Seafood on Elkins Road in Inglis, and jumped into the Withlacoochee River to avoid apprehension.

The detective had signed the inmate out of jail to gather further information (a routine investigative procedure) regarding several unsolved property crimes.

The sheriff's office has responded in force to locate Davis and take him back into custody.  The aviation unit, marine unit, patrol and K9 units are on scene, as well as the U.S. Coast Guard, Inglis Police Department and the Levy County Sheriff's Office.  A CodeRED was issued to surrounding residents regarding the escape.

Davis, 47, is a white male with brownish-gray hair and blue eyes.  He is believed to have shed his jail-issued orange jumpsuit.  He is 5 foot 10 inches tall and weighs 155 pounds.  He may have a cast on one of his arms and may be favoring his right leg due to stitches received from a previous injury.

If you see Davis, do not approach him, but call 911 immediately.