Last of 3 escapees believed to be in neighboring state

BY KYLE TROUTMAN ktroutman@cherryroad.com

The second of three Barry County jail escapees has been captured.

Matthew Crawford, of Springfield, was captured in Springfield on Monday by Greene County Sheriff’s Office deputies and U.S. Marshals, assisted by Springfield Police. 

“He was in an abandoned house that had been sitting on for a couple days, thinking he might go there,” Boyd said.

Crawford is currently being held for extradition in Greene County. Boyd said he has charges in other counties, as well.

“We are working on getting ahold of other counties where he has charges to see if they will take him,” Boyd said. We won’t house him here, regardless. He’ll go to another county and charges will still be pending here. It’s pretty common to do that.”

Marshals remain on the trail of Lance Stephens, of Washburn, who is suspected to be in a neighboring state, based on previous behavior.

Christopher Blevins, of Golden, was captured in Casper, Wyo., on June 8, arrested by Wyoming Highway Patrol in a stolen vehicle.

Blevins will likely be transported to the Greene County jail, where he will face federal charges filed by the U.S. Marshals. He is not listed on its roster as of Tuesday.

The trio escaped the jail in the overnight hours of June 2-3 by punching holes in the plaster ceiling, then crawling to a maintenance room with an exterior door.

Boyd said the ceiling issues have been addressed, and Sheriff’s Office staff are securing other areas with potential for escape.