IPOH: Three inmates escaped from the Perlop drug rehabilitation centre in Sungai Siput, 37km from here, early Sunday.
Police identified the three as Mohammad Sabri Abdul Manaf, 32, Shahizuan Ahmad Saad, 28, and Mohammad Firhan Norizan, 23. They were believed to have escaped by climbing over the perimeter fence at around 5am.
Sungai Siput OCPD Supt Wan Jamil Wan Chik said the guards found wooden sticks and blankets at the fencing behind the centre's administration office.
"After inspecting the quarters, three inmates were found missing from their rooms.
"We believe they climbed over the fencing when everyone was performing morning prayers from 5am to 6.30am," he said.
Supt Wan Jamil said blood stains were found at the fencing indicating that one of the inmates could have injured himself.
"We started tracking them down since 9am and received a call from the public at 8.30pm the same day saying that they had seen the suspects.
"We advise residents in the Felda Lasah and Perlop areas to be extra vigilant," he said, adding that the three were sent to the centre early this year.