An escapee from the Adair County Regional Jail turned up in Lexington on Saturday afternoon, and police continue to search for him.

Police Lt. Dean Marcum said officers spotted Antonio Howard in a car with another man about 2 p.m. in the area of Florence Drive and Douglas Avenue.

When police tried to stop the car, Howard jumped out and ran, he said. Officers questioned the driver; he has not been arrested, Marcum said.

Howard, 24, who is from Lexington, walked away from the minimum-security jail on Thursday with another inmate, Ira Boles, 26, of Florence. Police reported this week that Howard had made threats against a Lexington resident, and they had been watching for Howard on the assumption that he might come to Lexington.

According to Marcum, Howard might be trying to reach a former girlfriend who lives in Lexington. She has sworn out an emergency protective order against Howard and has been relocated from her home, Marcum said.

Adair jail officials said Howard was being held on a conviction for possession of a controlled substance and had been sentenced to five years in prison. Boles was convicted of theft and also faces a five-year sentence.

Jim Warren (859) 231-3255.