Police searching for escaped prisoner in Warren County

WRIGHT CITY, Mo. – Developing news overnight in Warren County as a prisoner escaped at a rest stop while being transported from Nebraska to North Carolina.

Authorities say that the prisoner is still on the loose. The escape occurred at a rest stop just off Interstate 70 when the prisoner just ran away from authorities, according to the Missouri State Highway Patrol (MSHP).

A patrol spokesperson said that the active search in this area ended for the night around 12:30 a.m. Tuesday morning.

MSHP is identifying the man as 35-year-old Steven Woodson. Authorities say he was wearing a white t-shirt and black pants and has multiple tattoos covering his face, arms and back. Investigators say he also has a colostomy bag.

Law officers say authorities received a call Monday night just after 8:30 p.m. from a private transport service who was taking Woodson from Douglas County, Nebraska, to the Orange County jail in Hillsboro, North Carolina.

Investigators say that while stopped at the rest area, Woodson apparently jumped a fence and was last seen running eastbound on Veterans Memorial Parkway in the area.

MSHP, Warren County Sheriff’s Deputies, and the Warren County Fire Department were canvassing the area looking for Woodson. Wright City Police also had a K-9 out as part of the search.

Wright City Police will now be taking the lead in this ongoing search.

Woodson was being transported after facing several charges in connection with break-ins at multiple storage units at a North Carolina facility. Those charges include felony breaking and entering, possession of a firearm by a felon and financial identity fraud.

Information is still being gathered about this ongoing situation. If you have any information, you are asked to call the police right away.

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