New search for escaped prison inmate

Michigan City, Ind. (AP) - Authorities are searching a heavily wooded area near a train yard for an inmate who escaped Sunday from the Indiana State Prison along with two other inmates.

Thursday's search began after two Northern Indiana Commuter Transportation District workers saw a disheveled man walk out of and then quickly run back into the wooded area near a South Shore train maintenance yard.

More than seven hours later, Indiana State Police and other agencies remain on the scene in Michigan City searching for the man, believed to be 45-year-old Lance Battreal.

The convicted rapist escaped Sunday from the prison along with 46-year-old Mark Booher and 49-year-old Charles Smith, both of whom are convicted murderers.

Smith was captured Monday near Grand Beach, Mich. Booher and Battreal remain at large.