Police search for man who escaped Charleston jail

CHARLESTON, Mo. — Police are searching for an inmate who escaped Saturday from the Mississippi County jail.

About 6 p.m. Saturday, the Mississippi County Sheriff’s Department received information that prisoner Edward Lusk, 49, of Bloomfield, Missouri, had gained access to a utility area within the detention center, according to a news release early Sunday from Marc Tragesser of Mississippi County Sheriff’s Department.

“Lusk used that access to reach the roof of the facility and escape. Lusk was being held on a warrant from Stoddard County,” Tragesser said.

Lusk last was seen wearing a white T-shirt, orange detention facility shirt, pants and shoes.

Lusk was being held on felony charges.

Tragesser said anyone who sees Lusk should not approach him but call the Mississippi County Sheriff’s Department at (573) 683-2111, a local police department or 911.

State and area police agencies are investigating the escape.