Escaped prisoner captured

Escaped inmate Michael Wilkins was taken into custody by Poplar Bluff police on Friday.

Photo provided

Poplar Bluff police officers Friday arrested one of five escapees from St. Francois County Detention Center.

Inmate Michael Wilkins, 40, of Festus has been captured and is now in custody of the St. Francois County Sheriff’s Department, officials reported.

He and the four other inmates reportedly broke out of the St. Francois County Tuesday night. On Thursday, information was developed leading investigators to believe Wilkins was in Poplar Bluff.

Michael Wilkins

On Friday morning, patrolman Richie Phillips received information that Wilkins was possibly at Mike’s Resale, located at 1015 Whiterow. Phillips relayed the information to other officers as he proceeded to Mike’s Resale. Lt. Joe Ward and Ptlm. Selena Torres arrived on-scene and took Wilkins into custody without incident, according to reports.

“I am immensely proud of the quick actions taken by these officers. Their actions and teamwork mindset ensured that Wilkins is back where he belongs,” said Poplar Bluff Police Chief Mike McClain.

“Investigators began to focus on the Poplar Bluff area Thursday morning following a tip that indicated a person matching Wilkins’ description was seen at a bar in Poplar Bluff on Wednesday evening,” the Francois County Sheriff’s Department said in the news release.

The other escapees are Kelly McSean, Dakota Pace, Aaron Sebastian and LuJuan Tucker. All of the inmates were being held on felony warrants and three of the inmates — Tucker, Sebastian and McSean — are known sex offenders, authorities said.

The inmates were found to be missing around 10 p.m. Tuesday, when jailers were conducting a head count.

According to the St. Francois County authorities, the suspects are reported to have gained access to the jail’s rooftop through the vents and pipes of the building’s plumbing system. They subsequently made their way to the ground.

The inmates discarded their jumpsuits and were seen on camera wearing white thermal leggings, white boxers and/or basketball shorts and white T-shirts — with the exception of Tucker, who was wearing a black shirt, the sheriff’s department said.

Surveillance footage also captured the inmates stealing a dark gray 2009 Toyota Scion with Missouri temporary tags and no front plate at approximately 7 p.m.

The group was last seen on camera driving southbound, according to the sheriff’s department officials.

Authorities said that if members of the public spot the fugitives, they should not approach and they should call 9-1-1.

The U.S. Marshals Service said rewards are being offered for information leading to each of their arrests.

Anyone who might know where to find the fugitives is asked to call 911, contact the St. Francois County Sheriff’s Department at 573-756-3252 or Joint Communications at 573-431-3131.