‘He’s a monster’: Convicted Tennessee murderer still on the run as authorities investigate Wisconsin bank robbery

LAKE COUNTY, Tenn. (WMC/Gray News) - The manhunt for escaped Tennessee inmate Jacob Allen Morley continues and authorities are investigating a possible link in Wisconsin after a man robbed a bank at gunpoint there on Tuesday.

Dane County authorities said the Bank of Deerfield was robbed just before it closed. A gunman walked in, demanded money, restrained two employees and left with cash. Nobody was hurt during the robbery.

The gunman stole a Lincoln MKZ from the parking lot to get away. The car was later found unoccupied.

The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation said it is aware of the robbery in Wisconsin, but has not confirmed it is linked to Morley.

Morley escaped from the Northwest Correctional Complex Monday. He stole a white 2008 Ford F-150 marked with Lindamood Planting Company. The truck was found abandoned early Tuesday in Marion, Illinois. Police said there is no evidence Morley is still in that area.

Morley was serving a life sentence for the 2022 murder of Cody Birchfield.

Tyreece Miller, the U.S. marshal for the Western District of Tennessee, is asking for help in the search for Morley. The reward for information leading to his arrest is now at $15,000.

“He’s a monster. He will do it again,” Birchfield’s friend Daniel Russell said.

Morley is on the Tennessee Most Wanted List and should be considered dangerous.

Anyone with information about Morley is asked to call 1-800-TBI-FIND immediately. If you see him, do not approach him and call 911.