Two inmates in a Virginia jail used primitively made tools to create a hole in the wall of their cell and escape, only to be found hours later at an IHOP restaurant nearby, a sheriff said.

Authorities discovered the two men, ages 37 and 43, missing from their cell in the Newport News jail annex during a routine head count Monday evening, according to a statement from the Newport News Sheriff�s Office.

A preliminary investigation found the men exploited a weakness in the jail�s construction design and used tools made from a toothbrush and a metal object to access rebars between the walls � and then used the rebar to further their escape, the statement said. After escaping their cell, they scaled a containment wall around the jail.

Authorities had asked for the public�s help to find the men, and they were taken into custody again early Tuesday at an IHOP in Hampton when other patrons called police.

�It reinforces what we always say, �See something, say something,�� Sheriff Gabe Morgan said.

The sheriff�s office said it is investigating to help prevent further escapes.

One man, who lives in Hampton, had been in custody on charges including contempt of court and probation violations.

Another, a Gloucester resident, was being held on charges including credit card fraud, forgery, grand larceny and probation violation.

Charges related to the escape are pending, the sheriff said.

(AP)