Sheriff Tom Abate told The Associated Press the three men overpowered a guard around 2 a.m. Saturday. They took his keys, broke out of the jail and fled on foot.
The escaped inmates are: 23-year-old Demarcus Woodard, 32-year-old Gemayel Culbert and 23-year-old Justin Gordon. Woodard and Culbert each face capital murder charges. Gordon faces charges including armed robbery and burglary.
Department of Corrections dogs tracked the men to a nearby bank parking lot and then lost the trail. Abate says the men likely were picked up or had a ride waiting for them.
Law enforcement agencies from surrounding counties and the U.S. Marshals Service are participating in the search.