Manhunt Math: Weatherford Tries To Recoup Cost Of Prisoner Manhunt

The Weatherford Police Department will try to recoup the costs of Tuesday's manhunt for escaped prisoners.

The prisoners escaped from a transport van after being unattended and with the keys in the ignition. The search for the last two inmates lasted a total of seven hours and included 80 officers from several agencies.

"We are looking at around $10,000 for the manhunt," said Weatherford Police Asst. Chief Louis Flowers.

The prisoners were being driven to Tennessee by a company called "Prisoner Transportation Services" out of Nashville. The prisoners made their escape when guards walked one prisoner into a hospital and others to the bathroom.

Police say the remaining prisoners, who were left unattended in the van, drove off.

Asst. Chief Flowers says the police department will work with its city attorneys to see if the Tennessee based company will pay for the manhunt costs.

"It could have been avoided," said Flowers.

Meantime the prisoners who were captured are being held in the Weatherford Jail until  the company can supply an undamaged van to transport them to Tennessee.

Prisoner Transportation Services did not return several News 9 phone calls for comment.