DALLAS (AP) — Seven escaped prisoners — including two convicted murderers and a child abuser — remained on the loose for a third week while Texas authorities spent the holiday weekend on heightened alert for clues that could lead to the inmates' recapture.

"Everybody's so paranoid. The tension is really, really thick," said Dallas County Sheriff Investigator Don Peritz Jr. "Hey, we're not resting until these guys are caught. Any call could be the call."

The fugitives had been serving sentences ranging from 30 years to life and worked together in the maintenance department at the Connally Unit in Kenedy, a maximum-security state prison 60 miles southeast of San Antonio.

They allegedly made their escape on Dec. 13 by posing as prison workers, tying up prison employees, stealing their clothes and escaping with 14 pistols, a loaded shotgun, a loaded rifle and 238 rounds of ammunition.

They also left a note warning: "You haven't heard the last of us."

"We think they committed to stay together long before this escape," Todd said. "It's almost like a blood brother pact of swearing to keep together and not to do some of the things escapees will routinely do."

The men are also wanted in connection with the Christmas Eve robbery of a Dallas-area sporting goods store in which a policeman was shot and killed.

"We've had several sightings, but none of them have helped us make an arrest," said Larry Todd, Texas Department of Criminal Justice spokesman. "We've had more sightings in the Dallas area than anywhere else."

A $100,000 reward has been offered for their re-arrest.