Gregg. Co jail escapee still on the loose

GREGG COUNTY - Fighting the sweltering East Texas heat in thick brush and trees, the Gregg County Sheriff's Office continued to search for a convicted felon Wednesday.

Michael "Mikey" Fagan of Kilgore eluded capture for the second day.

Officers from various Gregg County law enforcement agencies assisted in the search, along with dogs and a police chopper out of Garland.

The sheriff's department said they are pulling out all stops to track down Fagan.

They say Fagan, a convicted felon with a long rap sheet, took off Tuesday afternoon while being taken out of a patrol car at the Gregg County Jail.

Less than an hour earlier, he had been arrested on drug charges on Texas 42 near Interstate 20.

After the escape, officials searched downtown Longview. Some business owners even locked themselves inside.

Officials said they search through the night for Fagan. Wednesday morning, a tip led to a home in the Liberty City area on FM 2207 near Tom Eubanks Road. Sheriff's Lt. Mike Claxton said as officers zeroed in - Fagan took off running into the woods. A full-fledge manhunt got underway and officers on horsebacks and search dogs combed the area with no luck. Authorities planted a command center at a golf course in the FM 2207 area.

Around 3 p.m., a faint scent was detected by search dogs along a pipeline but nothing developed from there.

It's believed that Fagan knows the area very well. Neighbors said he grew up in the area and is very familiar with the rough terrain and surrounding homes.

Some residents remained on lockdown as the search continued until early evening when deputies decided to "loosen up the perimeter" and scale back parts of the search. Lt. Claxton said officers will continue to roam the area throughout the night.

Gregg Co. officials say they were very close to getting Fagan back behind bars and won't stop until he's located.

"We want the community to know we are working around the clock to find him," said Claxton.