A state inmate who escaped Jan. 25 from a prison at Licking was captured just before 5 p.m. Saturday south of Licking, authorities said.
John T. Long, 41, was seen on property near Highway VV and 137, and captured a short time later by Licking police. Authorities said Long was still wearing gray pants and a brown jacket. He was taken to the South Central Correctional Center, where his identity was verified. Officials said he taken to the medical department for an examination and provided with food and water.
Long had been spotted Friday night west of Licking. He was seen near 17832 W. Highway 32, not far from the 1,600-bed facility. He was seen running south, authorities said. Officers quickly set up a perimeter, and the Missouri State Highway Patrol coordinated the search effort. A helicopter from Jefferson City arrived to the search area.
State officers and a chopper searched the region before leaving at 11 p.m.
The escapee had last been seen Monday. A tent was found.
Long was housed in a minimum security portion of the prison, which is situated outside security fences. Last Friday night, another ramp up of the search occurred northeast of Licking.
According to Missouri Department of Correction records, Long is serving a six-year sentence for receiving stolen property and second-degree burglary.
Long was received into Missouri Department of Corrections custody from Texas County on June 2, 2017. He had a parole date of Sept. 14, 2019. He has previous convictions for second-degree assault, operating a vehicle while intoxicated resulting in injury, possession of a controlled substance, resisting/interfering with arrest, second-degree domestic assault and misdemeanor stealing.