Tampa fugitive caught 30 years later, then released

TAMPA - It took 30 years for authorities to catch up with a Florida fugitive. They finally tracked him down this weekend in Missouri, where a judge promptly let him back out on bond.

Oscar Richardson landed in a Forsyth, Missouri jail after he was arrested by the Taney County Sheriff's Office. He had assumed the name Eugene Ward, the sheriff's office said.

The 61-year-old escaped from the Kissimmee Work Release Center in 1979, according to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement. He had been sentenced to 10 years for robberies in Tampa.

Playing off the "12 Days of Christmas," Florida agents recently posted the pictures of 12 wanted men. Officers dubbed the operation "12 Days of Fugitives," saying criminals are most likely to blow their cover around the holidays when they contact family or friends.

Related: Click here to see the full list of fugitives

Monday, FDLE agents were understandably upbeat in announcing the arrest. Howebver, that excitement was short-lived: Missouri Judge Tony Williams released Richardson from jail on $25,000 bond.

Florida's top cop blasted the move.

"Allowing this fugitive to walk out of a courtroom after hiding from authorities for 30 years diminishes the seriousness of his crimes and shows a lack of sensitivity for those he victimized and a disregard for the safety of the citizens of Taney County. We are working closely with Missouri authorities to aggressively pursue Richardsons extradition to Florida," FDLE Commissioner Gerald M. Bailey said in a written statement. "His debt to our state remains unpaid."