Union County jail break sparks manhunt

(12/17/07) ELIZABETH ? Police are scouring parts of New Jersey in search of two inmates who escaped from the Union County Jail over the weekend.
Investigators say Otis Blunt and Jose Espinosa chiseled their way through mortar and squeezed through a hole before jumping 15 feet to a rooftop. The pair then jumped over razor wire and plunged 30 feet to the ground.
The inmates even left a note that said: ?Thank you officer, for the tools needed, you?re a real pal. Happy Holidays.?
After reaching the ground, investigators said the two went their separate ways. They even left pillows in their beds to make it look like they were still sleeping.
Union County prosecutor Theodore Romankow said the pair will be caught.
?There is no question in my mind you are not going to go very far,? Romankow said, addressing the escapees. ?You may go out of state, but we will find you.?
Blunt was being held on $75,000 for gun and robbery charges. Espinosa was awaiting sentencing for manslaughter. Police are urging the public not to get directly involved with the fugitives.
Investigators' photos of cell, jail: Photo 1 Photo 2 Photo 3 Photo 4 Photo 5 Photo 6
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