LINN  — Alex M. Stieffermann, 33, of Linn, overpowered and assaulted two Osage County detention officers at about 8:40 p.m. on Sunday and was able to escape the Osage County Jail.

“He initiated the assault on our officers during a routine procedure,” said Sheriff Mike Bonham, adding that once Stieffermann reached the outside, he stripped off his county jumpsuit and fled on foot in his boxers, a t-shirt, and socks.

911 Dispatch issued a notice of the escape to the citizens of Linn as a manhunt ensued for approximately three hours.

A citizen reported a suspicious person walking down 10th Street in Linn, and deputies quickly flooded the area “heavily,” according to Sheriff Bonham. “It was all hands on deck.”

Stieffermann was apprehended within the city limits of Linn around midnight. Deputies took him into custody without incident.

One detention officer was transported to the hospital for a laceration and was released; the other was treated at the scene and returned to duty.

Stieffermann was being held on a no-bond warrant following charges in September for first-degree motor vehicle tampering and second-degree burglary following the alleged theft of a 2021 red Toyota Corolla from the State Tech Vehicle Power Center at approximately 2:16 a.m. on Sept. 14.

At the time of his arrest, Stieffermann was free on bond after being charged in June with first-degree motor vehicle tampering. He has a prior conviction for felony theft on June 13, 2012, and a conviction for second-degree burglary (SIS) on Feb. 10, 2021. However, the court revoked the defendant’s probation for misdemeanor theft, with a conviction on Oct. 25, 2021.

A bond review hearing was held on Oct. 10, at which Judge Sonya Brandt continued the case until Nov. 21 at 10 a.m. Stieffermann has been transferred to the Miller County Jail.

Sheriff Bonham noted that new charges would be filed with the Osage County Prosecutor’s Office for three counts of assault on a law enforcement officer and escaping confinement.

He thanked the Gasconade Sheriff’s Office, Maries County Sheriff’s Office, Cole County Sheriff’s Office, Miller County Sheriff’s Office, Linn Police Department, Callaway County Sheriff’s Office, and the Missouri Highway Patrol for their assistance in the manhunt.

Bonham said an internal review is underway to ensure protocols were followed and what can be done to prevent future incidents.