Two inmates who escaped from the McDonald County Jail are back in custody.
They escaped July 12.
According to Sheriff Michael Hall, John Weeks and Christopher Walker were discovered missing during a head count before dinner.
It appears they escaped confinement by removing shower heads, shimmying through an A/C duct, and exiting through an area that is under construction.
Weeks and Walker then stole a silver 2006 Dodge Caravan from within Pineville city limits as a means of aiding their getaway, Hall said. The vehicle originally had an Arkansas tag, but the duo switched the license plate to an Oklahoma tag shortly after stealing the van.
Near daybreak the next morning, the stolen vehicle was recovered between Anderson and Goodman. Neither Weeks nor Walker were located in the area.
By noon Thursday, Weeks was taken into custody near Longview.
After a tip about Walker being in the Branson West/Stone County region, MCSO notified agencies in Stone County and deputies began canvassing the area for him.
Walker was spotted and led authorities on a late-night chase. He was taken into custody at approximately 8 a.m. Friday.
Weeks, 22, of Hiwasse, Ark., was originally being held on charges of armed criminal action, assault on a law enforcement officer with a deadly weapon, and resisting arrest.
Walker, 20, of Lanagan, Mo., was being held on charges of resisting/interfering with arrest for a felony.
Both suspects now face additional charges of escaping from confinement in a county jail -- a class E felony. A class E felony is punishable by up to four years in prison, or one year in jail.
Community on 07/20/2017