Texas County Sheriff James Sigman said via social media Tuesday night he does not believe jail escapee Christopher Hunt remains in the area.
Hunt, 33, overpowered an officer Monday morning as he was being returned to the Texas County Jail from a court appearance. He stole the vehicle, which was later ditched at an abandoned house where he changed clothes.
Agencies from the region established a five-mile perimeter between Edgar Springs and Licking to search for Hunt.
“Christopher Hunt is still being sought by law enforcement, but I do not believe that he is still in the area,” Sigman wrote on the Texas County Sheriff Facebook page. “We are currently working leads with other agencies to apprehend Hunt.”
Hunt was returning from a court appearance Monday morning after entering a guilty plea and received a 20-year sentence in Phelps County Circuit Court at Rolla. Texas County Prosecutor Parke Stevens Jr. handled the case and was en route back to the county-seat when the escape occurred, he said.
Hunt was charged in September 2016 with multiple crimes following a pursuit in Wright and Texas counties. He was charged with two counts of tampering with a motor vehicle, three counts of assault or attempted assault of a law enforcement officer, armed criminal action and resisting arrest by fleeing, all felonies.
Hunt also was charged with first-degree robbery in Greene County in connection with a September car theft.