Poplar Bluff, MO-Shooting Suspect Steals Deputy's Car To Escape
Authorities from multiple agencies saturated South Poplar Bluff Mo. Tuesday looking for a Sikeston man who escaped from
Butler County Jail by Stealing a Squad Car. Curtis Laverne Walker 20, at the time of his escape was in jail for Class A
felony first degree assault and felony of armed criminal action following a murder. Walker was restrained in handcuffs and placed
in the front seat of the squad car. He managed to remove his handcuffs and lock the vehicle's doors after deputy Joe Smith exited the vehicle.
The deputy assumed it was an accident and didn't take immediate action. Walker knew where the garage door opener was hidden.
He pressed the button and sped away in the now stolen Police vehicle, from the department. A massive man hunt ensued immediately.
The Police Department, The Missouri Water Patrol, The South East Missouri Drug Task Force, and The Highway Patrol were all apart of the search.
Trains departing in the surrounding areas were were not allowed to depart from their stations.
Spokesman Butler County Sheriff Mark Dobbs said "as embarrassing as the situation may be, we need to take this and make it a learning
example for all of us and what can happen and better our department from it." He also said "we will no longer leave the keys in the ignition."