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Reports: 'Dangerous' Texas prison bus escapee possibly spotted in Central Texas, MCSO says

Posted at 6:30 PM, May 17, 2022
and last updated 2022-06-06 16:13:50-04

Editor's note: The separate search for Gonzalo Lopez in McLennan County was called off, the search in Leon County continues.

Authorities were searching on Tuesday after reports that the escaped convicted killer, last seen in Leon County, had been spotted in the Robinson and Asa areas.

McLennan County Sheriff Parnell McNamara said a report came in Tuesday morning after someone thought they had spotted Gonzalo Lopez.

McNamara said it could have been a credible identification, and the sheriff's office along with a helicopter were searching the area.

"It did sound like the escapee from the description but they were unable to find him," said the sheriff.

The search in McLennan County was called off, according to the sheriff. Robinson police released a statement earlier in the afternoon, that they were not aware of any searches in the area.

"Robinson PD is not aware of any active search in or around our city," said Robinson police. "We have no reason to believe he is here and we are operating as normal."

The police department did however state that the sheriff's office was conducting a search.

"... Earlier this afternoon MCSO was looking for someone around the Golinda area," said Robinson police on its Facebook page. "Whatever MCSO had going on down there, they didn’t share that information with us."

Out of an abundance of caution, Robinson Little League canceled their games tonight "due to law enforcement presence in the area."

Reward for information leading to the capture and arrest of Lopez has been increased to $50,000, according to the Texas Department of Criminal Justice.

Lopez, who is serving a life sentence for capital murder and attempted capital murder, has been missing since Thursday after he assaulted prison officials and then escaped from a prison transport bus.