The Nation - News from July 5, 1985

An escaped prisoner released five law enforcement officers after holding them hostage in a mobile home for more than six hours in Odessa, Mo., police said. The man, identified as Robert Allen, 25, had demanded that a helicopter fly him to freedom after he captured the first police officer, who tried to serve him a warrant. He then used the officer as a shield when other officers arrived and he forced them into the home also, Sgt. Jim Watson of the Missouri Highway Patrol said. Authorities were still negotiating with the man, who remained barricaded in the mobile home. He escaped from jail June 19.