Escaped federal fugitive captured in Osage County

UPDATE: An escaped fugitive from Farmington, Mo. is now in custody in Osage County. The Osage County Sheriff’s Department confirms to ABC 17 that Jason Biermann was captured around 11:30 Sunday morning near County Road 621 & Swan Creek Trail.

The search started on Friday around noon, when the Osage County Sheriff’s Department got a call that an suspect who escaped U.S. Marshall’s was armed with firearms.

Later Friday afternoon, an individual spotted Biermann around County Road 621.

Multiple law enforcement agencies were involved in the manhunt. Authorities located foot tracks off of County Road 621, but were unable to find Biermann. Law enforcement called the search off around 3:30a.m. Saturday morning, believing he could have fled off in a vehicle. Sheriff Dishman told ABC 17 news that the main reason they called off the search was due to them losing Biermann’s scent. However, they did continue to search about an hour and a half after but couldn’t track anything.

It was later learned that Biermann was hiding out in a resident’s loft on Saturday, which was why no department received tips on his location.

Around 11:30a.m. Sunday morning Osage County Sheriff’s Department received a tip, that Biermann was spotted near a residence close to a milk barn, near County Road 621 and Swan Creek Trail.

Biermann told Sheriff’s Deputies that he was hungry which was the main reason he fled from the loft.

Biermann was arrested without incident, and is currently in Osage County Jail awaiting U.S. Marshall’s to pick him up. Osage County Sheriff’s Department say they will not press charges locally.

Biermann was originally considered armed and dangerous at the beginning of the search, but when he was later captured he had no weapons or firearms on him. Deputies are trying to locate any firearms but haven’t as of now.

ORIGINAL: Residentsin Linn told ABC17 News Saturday that they don’t think Biermann is still in the area and many are returning back to normal schedules and life. Several restaurants and bars are open throughout town and people are now venturing out. Many said the thought lockdown Friday at the schools went very well and kept the students safe. Residents said they believe Biermann may have used the forest cover to escape and said the amount of law enforcement used Friday was no match for the large county of Osage.

Multiple agencies continue to search for Jason Biermann, an escapee from a federal halfway house.

In a press briefing, Sgt. Scott White with the Missouri State Highway Patrol said students had been released to their parents and that no buses were running routes.

It all started around 11:52 a.m. when a Linn police officer pulled into a convenient story and observed a person running from a car.

Further investigation revealed it was Jason Biermann, a manwanted on escape charges.

U.S. Marshals, the Osage County Sheriff’s Department, Linn police and the Missouri State Highway Patrol are searching an area southwest of the city for Biermann.

An aircraft was used during the search, but had to land due to poor weather.
Officers are on the ground and have set up a perimeter.

Sgt. White said some local businesses have made the decision to lockdown, but schools were stressed to lockdown.

Biermann is described as 6-foot and 160 pounds. He is believed to have a firearm, and is dangerous. Sgt. White said the public needs to lock their doors. If they see anyone suspicious, call 911.

Authorities are looking for Jason Biermann (pictured above), saying he could be wearing a blue rain coat and black pants. He was last seen near Linn City Park.

On its Facebook page, the Osage County Emergency Operations Center and 911 Dispatch Center said the sheriff’s department is advising all people in Linn to “lock down immediately due to a public safety incident.” The warning further advises people to “go indoors, close and lock doors.”

Our crew at the scene reports seeing a number of businesses with signs on doors, indicating they are closed because of the lockdown.

One ABC 17 viewer sent us a screenshot of a text alert he got regarding a “public safety incident in Linn.” The alert also advises to stay indoors until further notice. You can see that text alert below:

Editor Note: In an earlier story, the Missouri State Highway Patrol said Biermann was a Farmington Correctional Center escapee. That is incorrect information, but he is an escaped convict from a federally contracted halfway house.