The reward for information leading to the arrest of a convicted murderer and Tennessee fugitive whose stolen vehicle was found abandoned in downstate Illinois has risen to a combined $15,000, authorities announced Wednesday.
Previously up to $2,500, the reward was increased as of Wednesday afternoon by Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee's office and the U.S. Marshals Service as the search for 28-year-old Jacob Allen Morley continues, according to the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation.
Morley had been serving a life sentence at the Northwest Correctional Complex in Tiptonville, according to the Tennessee Department of Correction. Staff confirmed around 11:30 p.m. Sunday that he was missing and security cameras showed he had breached the perimeter fence in his prison uniform, the department reported.
Morley was recorded on video stealing a white 2008 Ford F-350 labeled "Lindamood Planting Company" with an air compressor in the bed around 1 a.m. Monday and it was found abandoned early Tuesday morning in Marion, the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation reported.
Morley has been convicted of first-degree murder, aggravated burglary, tampering with evidence, evading arrest and vandalism, authorities said. He has been added to the Tennessee Most Wanted list and should be considered dangerous, according to authorities, who warned that people should not attempt to apprehend him.
Morley is 6 feet or slightly under, weighs 240-270 pounds, and has brown hair and green eyes, authorities said.
Anyone with information is asked to call 1-844-832-3463 or 911, authorities said.
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