TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — A Topeka man is on the run after escaping from a minimum security unit at the Hutchinson Correctional Facility where he was being held on burglary and shoplifting convictions.

Mark Edward Lucas fled from the facility between 1 and 2 p.m. Saturday. The 44-year-old is described as 6 feet tall, 180 pounds with brown hair and hazel eyes.

Officials believe he might have headed north toward Topeka.

 

A Kansas judge called Lucas a “serial shoplifter” when sentencing him in October 2012 for stealing a DVD player and wireless router from a Topeka Walmart where he was permanently banned.

Lucas told the judge his crack cocaine habit drove him to steal. He has entered guilty or no contest pleas to resolve at least 19 previous theft cases. His earliest possible release date is March 2023.

Court records also show Lucas was serving time for several crimes in the Topeka area.