Teens sought after battering guards, escaping Jacksonville juvenile facility

Jacksonville officers are searching for three teens who battered employees and escaped a juvenile justice facility Sunday night.

The Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office said 16-year-old Luther Davis, 16-year-old Derek Browley and 15-year-old Justin Silva overpowered staff members, stole their keys and fled the Florida Department of Juvenile Justice Facility on Lannie Road around 11:30 p.m. Sunday.

JSO said the teens planned the escape. Officers and K-9s have not been able to locate them.

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JSO is on the scene investigating and helping to find the teens, but authorities say this is not a JSO facility.

A source tells Action News Jax that the inmates tried to steal a car after they escaped the facility, but were unsuccessful.

That source tells Action News Jax that JSO learned of a vehicle missing Monday morning from a nearby residence on Parete Circle and that may be related to the escaped juvenile inmates.

G4S Youth Services, which runs the Jacksonville Youth Academy, issued the following statement:

"At this time we are conducting a full investigation at Jacksonville Youth Academy to ensure all policies were followed. It has not yet been determined if there will be any changes to policies adhered.

"Regarding fencing, we will be working closely with the Florida Department of Juvenile Justice (DJJ) to see what enhancements need to take place at the Jacksonville Program. DJJ can answer the question regarding barbed wire, as it is within their realm of decision-making."

G4S Youth Services is also contracted to run Hastings Youth Academy. Two teen inmates escaped from that facility in May and an admissions freeze was imposed there in June.

Silva's previous charges include grand theft and violation of probation; Davis' previous charges include burglary and grand theft; Browley's previous charges include grand theft, battery on a person 65 years or older, robbery/carjacking and burglary.

Anyone with information about their whereabouts is asked to call JSO at 904-630-0500 or email JSOCrimeTips@jaxsheriff.org.

To remain anonymous and receive a possible reward up to $3,000, call Crime Stoppers at 1-866-845-TIPS.

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Cox Media Group