St. James, MN (KROC-AM News)- The sex offender who escaped custody in southern Minnesota earlier this week has been captured. 

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That’s according to a news release issued early Thursday morning by the Watonwan County Sheriff’s Office. The inmate had been on the run since Monday evening. 

The news release says deputies followed up on leads and found a vehicle 36-year-old Leonardo Lopez Jr. was riding in. When deputies stopped the vehicle, Lopez Jr. fled on foot into a field where he was found and arrested without further incident. 

Lopez Jr. Facebook/Watonwan County Sheriff's Office
Lopez Jr. Facebook/Watonwan County Sheriff's Office
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Two other people were taken into custody on suspicion of aiding and abetting Lopez Jr.'s escape. Their names have not been released. 

Watonwan County Law Enforcement Center. Google
Watonwan County Law Enforcement Center. Google
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Lopez Jr. was returned to the Watonwan County Jail where he is awaiting further charges in connection to his escape. The location of Lopez Jr.‘s arrest was not released. 

Details surrounding his escape Monday evening from the jail in the small town of St. James have still not been disclosed. 

Court records indicate Lopez was convicted of felony third-degree criminal sexual conduct in 2006 and felony first-degree burglary in 2008.

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