Darrious Brown

Local law enforcement is searching for a convicted thief who escaped from Silverdale Correctional Facility early Sunday morning.

Silverdale officials reported that Darrious Brown, 29, escaped at about 6:37 a.m. after being processed for an off-site work detail at the Standifer Place Nursing Home laundry room.

Upon his escape, Brown removed his orange work uniform. Silverdale officials said he was last seen wearing a white T-shirt, white head covering and what looked like khaki pants.

The Chattanooga Police Department, Hamilton County Sheriff's Office and officers with Corrections Corporation of America, which operates Silverdale, are searching for the inmate and investigating the circumstances of his escape.

Brown is 6 feet, 1 inch tall and weighs 160 pounds.

He was serving an 11-month, 29-day sentence for two theft charges, four counts of contempt of court, and two counts of failure to appear. His projected release date would have been June 17.