HENNING, Tenn. (WTVF) — According to multiple media reports, the search for escaped inmate Curtis Watson intensified Saturday evening.
Around 9:40 p.m. Saturday, Peter Fleisher of WREG in Memphis reported that some members of law enforcement were leaving the area of Highway 731 in Henning, Tennessee, but that helicopter was back up circling the area.
The search area off Highway 731 is about five miles from where Watson escaped earlier this week. Reporter Jacque Masse, a reporter for television station WHBQ, is reporting that officers told her the found a water bottle and blanket in the area. That highway has been closed as an active search is underway.
Caitlin McCarthy, a reporter for station WTAN says a nearby resident reported food and water being stolen from her home.
We've reached out to the TBI, who are not commenting on whether there has been a confirmed sighting of Watson. As of around 4 p.m. Saturday evening, the TBI said they haad received more than 350 tips, but no credible sightings.
The reward for Watson's capture was raised to $57,000 earlier in the evening after the Tennessee Dept. of Corrections added $4,500 to the total.
