Update

9:50pm Tuesday, June 14, 2022 – The Barry County Sherriff says Lance Stephens was taken into custody in San Antonio, Texas this evening.

All three escaped inmates are now in custody.

Lance Stephens

Update

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. — A second man who escaped from the Barry County Jail earlier this month is back behind bars tonight. Authorities took Matthew Crawford into custody this afternoon in Springfield.

Crawford and two other men escaped from the Barry County Jail on June 3rd by climbing through holes they’d made in the ceiling and then escaping out a maintenance door. He was originally arrested on stealing charges.

Matthew Crawford

Lance Stephens remains the only one of the inmates still at large. He was being held in Barry County on drug-related charges.

Officials arrested 37-year-old Christopher Blevins last Wednesday in Wyoming. He was wanted on numerous charges including resisting arrest and driving while his license was revoked.

The U.S. Marshal’s Office is handling the investigation.

Update

CASPER, Wyo. — An escaped Barry County inmate has been apprehended out of state, the Barry County Sheriff’s Office said.

Christopher Blevins was taken into custody near the town of Casper, Wyoming Wednesday afternoon. Accompanying Blevins was a woman but was released because Wyoming did not have a reason to hold her.

Christopher Blevins

Two more inmates remain on the run. They were last seen stealing a car in Salina and ditching it in western Kansas.

The BCSO reported Monday that the case has since been turned over to the U.S. Marshals.

Original

Three inmates escape Barry County Jail, possibly armed & dangerous

BARRY COUNTY, Mo. — Barry County authorities are warning the public about three escaped inmates.

The trio, which fled the jail in the early morning hours according to the Sheriff’s Office, consists of Lance Justin Stephens, Matthew Allen Crawford, and Christopher Allen Blevins.

L-R: Christopher Allen Blevins, Lance Justin Stephens, and Matthew Allen Crawford

Blevins was being held in Barry County Jail on a laundry list of weapon and drug charges, Stephens for delivery of a controlled substance, and unlawful use of a weapon, and Crawford for theft related charges.

FOUR STATES CRIME…

The three are considered armed and dangerous and the public is advised not confront them. Should you see them, Barry County authorities ask you call 911 and report their location.