NATCHEZ &045;&045; A man arrested Friday on charges of armed robbery, kidnapping and carjacking escaped from the city jail Saturday morning and is still at large.

Darryl Beckem was in the exercise yard with six other inmates around 10 a.m. when he removed wire from the bottom of the fence and went under.

A jail worker was assigned to observe the inmates while in the yard, but he went back in the building for a short period of time, Police Chief Mike Mullins said. While he was inside, two other inmates assisted Beckem in removing the wire.

Beckem, 20, 115 Oriole Terrace, escaped alone.

Mullins said a witness spotted Beckem shortly after the escape near Kelly Avenue, but he has not yet been found.

Beckem was arrested Friday in connection with an incident on Broadway Street last Sunday. He, along with another man, allegedly produced a handgun to force a man to drive them onto Briel Avenue where they took less than $50 from him. They then forced the man to drive to Bluff Street where they fled on foot.

After setting up surveillance, Natchez Police officers saw the suspects Friday, Beckem and Adam Jewon King, get into a car. Police then chased the car for a short distance until the men fled on foot. Minutes later NPD made the arrest in the South Canal Street area.

Beckem was originally arrested on charges of armed robbery, kidnapping, carjacking, possession of a cocaine and possession of a concealed weapon by a convicted felon, in addition to a charge of malicious mischief based on an outstanding warrant. A charge of felony escape will now be added.

He was to be held in jail until arraignment Tuesday morning.

The two other inmates who assisted in Beckem’s escape will also face charges.

NPD is offering a substantial reward for information leading to an arrest of Beckem, Mullins said. Anyone with information can call Crimestoppers at 442-5000. All information will remain anonymous.