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Escaped Ft. Madison fugitive captured in Stuart

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June 30th, 2016 by Ric Hanson

An escapee from the Ft. Madison Correctional Facility was captured Thursday afternoon, in Stuart. Stuart Police said in a Press Release, that a Stuart Police Officer was investigating the reported sighting of escaped fugitive, 31-year old Joseph Leclair, Jr., at around noon, in the 300 block of N. Main St. A female resident in the area answered the door when the officer knocked but refused to cooperate with the officer.

Joseph LeClair, Jr.

Joseph LeClair, Jr.

The woman then left the property. The same female is suspected of then making a false 911 call reporting the fugitive at a different location. The officer called in assistance from Guthrie County, Adair County and the State Patrol to surround the house, while he prepared a search warrant. At approximately 3:30-pm officers entered the house with a search warrant and found the fugitive hiding inside.

LeClaire was arrested and transported to the Guthrie County Jail. The female involved is facing charges in the incident as well. LeClaire was involved in a similar incident last year when he escaped from work release for over a two month period from May-July. He was subsequently arrested in Polk County following that incident.