Belgian prisoners escape by helicopter

Three inmates, including one of Belgium's most well-known criminals, escaped Thursday in what is being called a dramatic jailbreak.

A hijacked helicopter swooped in and helped three criminals break out of a Belgium jail Thursday. One of the prisoners was Ashraf Sekkaki, a well-known criminal who has broken out of jail before. According to Reuters, who cites media sources within the country, the three criminals and the hijackers flew to a nearby town, stole a Mercedes, robbed a gas station and drove off. No one was hurt during the escape attempt. Sekkaki is a well-known criminal, who has more than 16 convictions against him in the country. He escaped from jail five years ago. This isn't the first time a helicopter has been used during a break-out attempt. In 2007, Nordin Benallal, a criminal who was convicted of carjacking and armed robbery, broke out after a hijacked helicopter landed in the prison where he was being held. The identities of the other criminals that escaped with Sekkaki were not available.