Massive Manhunt Underway After Murder Suspect Steals Guard's Clothes, Escapes Jail

A massive manhunt is underway in Mississippi for an inmate who escaped from the Warren County Jail after forcing a guard to hand over his clothes, according to authorities.

Read: Man Accused of Murdering College Students Hannah Graham and Morgan Harrington Pleads Guilty

They say Rafael McCloud, 34, escaped the jail early Wednesday morning using a handmade shank and took a jail employee hostage. He allegedly forced the employee to give up his keys, radio, pants and jacket.

Cops say they recovered the radio and keys on the jail grounds, the Associated Press reported.

McCloud, who is in jail facing capital murder charges for the 2015 rape and killing of a 69-year-old woman, was last seen wearing a white T-shirt, the guard’s green pants and black jacket, authorities say.

Read: Cops: Teen Doctor Arrested Again, This Time For Allegedly Stealing $34,000 From Elderly Patient

The U.S. Marshals Service has now joined state police in tracking down McCloud, who has been called "extremely dangerous" by Vicksburg Police Chief Walter Armstrong.

Several schools in the area have been put on lockdown until McCloud is apprehended.

He was was indicted in January for capital murder, burglary, rape, sexual battery without consent, attempted arson, larceny-motor vehicle and possession of a weapon in connection to the killing. He pleaded not guilty to the charges.

Watch: Father of Murdered Teen Shares Regrets: I Wish I'd Wrapped Her, Hugged Her