A man believed to be dangerous escaped Wednesday night from the Jenkins County Jail, and Sheriff Robert Oglesby hopes tips from citizens can help bring him back into custody.

Michael Middleton, 24, is described as a black male standing around 6 feet and weighing around 186 pounds, Oglesby said. Middleton was in the Jenkins County Jail’s custody after a court hearing Wednesday regarding a prior Jenkins County armed robbery case.

“We picked him up from state prison (Wednesday) and had him here for sentencing,” Oglesby said. “Around 10 p.m. (Wednesday) we were getting ready to take him back” and he saw an opportunity, broke away and fled.

As of Thursday evening Middleton was still at large, Oglesby said, adding that he is from Burke County and could still be in that area.

Details of Middleton’s sentence were unavailable Thursday evening. Oglesby said Middleton had recently been sentenced regarding a Jefferson County armed robbery as well, but Middleton’s information was not available on the Georgia Department of Corrections website.

A Jenkins County Jail spokesman said the information had apparently not yet been recorded on the GDOC website, as Middleton’s arrests and sentencing were relatively recent.

Multiple media reports indicate that Middleton was also identified as one of two gunmen in the June 20, 2012, shotgun hold-up at EZ Quick Stop in Wadley.

Oglesby said Middleton could be armed and is considered dangerous. He asked that anyone with information about Middleton’s whereabouts should call the Jenkins County Sheriff’s Office at (478) 982-4211.

Holli Deal Bragg may be reached at (912) 489-9414.