Escaped inmates still on the loose - FOX 25/48 - WLAX/WEUX La Crosse & Eau Claire News

Escaped inmates still on the loose

An area sheriff says the FBI is now involved in the case of two escaped prison inmates.

Jackson County Sheriff Duane Waldera says the case is now big and complicated enough that the FBI has become involved. Waldera says the FBI will speak with his investigators tomorrow.

18-year-old James C. Misleveck and 29-year-old James R. Newman are still on the loose. Investigators now say they stole another car early Thursday morning.

When James Shepherd of Wilton woke up Thursday morning he noticed his car was gone.

"Right away I assumed because everyone was saying how close they were to us," said Shepherd.

The prisoners ditched their stolen truck not even a mile away from Shepherd's house. But even the news of fugitives on the loose wasn't enough to break his old habit.

"I got home late last night from work and I was exhausted and I didn't think. Since I've had my license I don't think I've taken the keys out of my car," said Shepherd.

The 1996 black Chrysler concord is still missing.

"We are trying to find it, it might be abandoned, these guys aren't going to keep the car," said Monroe County Sheriff, Pete Quirin.

"I got some stuff in there, I hope I see it again," said Shepherd.

The police don't know if the prisoners went north or south from Shepherd's home but they do suspect they will be looking for family that lives in Wisconsin.

"Since one had family in the Mauston area they could be in that area," said Sheriff Quirin.

Officers say the suspects took 3 cars and a shotgun Wednesday, and carjacked a woman taking her from Black River Falls to Sparta. They let her go unharmed. Then they led officers on a chase to Tomah, the Sheriff Quirin says it was frustrating not to catch them.

"The officers are disappointed. They were within grabbing range. The State and Monroe County were right behind them. I wish there were some things that could've happened a little faster," said Sheriff Quirin.