NATCHEZ — An Natchez Police Department inmate’s attempt to flee the facility was foiled by police officers Sunday morning.

The police received information on Friday that inmate George Byrd, 19, 1-B Ingram Circle, was going to attempt an escape from jail during the Sunday morning worship service.

The worship service is held outside in a gated area and several officers were on the scene, prepared for the attempted escape, Natchez Police Chief Mike Mullins said.

Byrd had removed a piece of metal from a separate location and was attempting to unhook the fence ties found at the bottom of the fence.

Police officers spotted Byrd doing this and stopped him.

Mullins said Byrd has been charged with attempted escape.