St. Louis Police Search for Inmate Who Escaped Jail

Maurio Thomas, 29, escaped from the St. Louis City Justice Center early Sunday. Police say he climbed into the ceiling while in an area where he had been using a phone and left the building through an alley. Investigators are using surveillance cameras, K-9 teams and intelligence units in the search. Thomas was being held on burglary and sodomy charges tied to allegations that he sexually assaulted a woman, including an elderly woman, on two occasions. Authorities describe him as dangerous. They urge the public to secure homes, cars and garages, not to approach him, and to call 911 if he is seen. CONTESTED: none found in record. No left/right split found. Thomas remains at large.