Three prisoners from New Richmond, Wis., remain fugitives

Three prisoners remained on the loose Thursday after escaping from a regional prison in St. Croix County, Wis.

The men fled the minimum-security St. Croix Correctional Center, in New Richmond, about 10:15 p.m. Wednesday. They were last seen wearing long underwear tops and bottoms, with gray shorts and running shoes.

Fugitives were identified as Jesse Jamal Fairley, who is serving a sentence for burglary and has ties to St. Paul; Andre Lee Vance, formerly of Madison, Wis., who is serving a sentence for operating a motor vehicle without owner consent and burglary; and Kyle John Peterson, formerly of Winnebago County, Wis., who is serving a sentence for forgery and possession of drugs.

New Richmond police described Fairley, 26, at 5 feet 8 and 142 pounds. Vance, 21, is 6 feet 4 and 189 pounds. Peterson, 19, is 5 feet 10 and 165 pounds.

A vehicle was stolen from the 1300 block of 210th Avenue, about 3 miles north of New Richmond, but a possible connection to the escapees hasn't been confirmed, police said. The vehicle is a 2015 Hyundai Sonata four-door, silver in color, with Wisconsin license plates 597 LMS.

The initial search included several K-9 teams, two aircraft and numerous law enforcement agencies, and fire personnel.

Classes in the New Richmond School District were canceled Thursday, District Administrator Jeff Moberg wrote on the district's website. However, after-school activities would be held as planned, including 7th and 8th grade concerts, he wrote.

Anyone with any information on the whereabouts of the escapees is asked to call St. Croix County Dispatch at 715-386-4704 or contact Detectives Yehlik or Koehler at 715-246-6667.

The correctional center houses 129 prisoners in a "challenge" program built around discipline and rehabilitation. The program includes rigorous physical activity, instruction on military bearing and regimentation, and group interaction that addresses rational thinking and responsible behavior, according to the Wisconsin Department of Corrections.

Kevin Giles • 651-925-5037