Search Continues for Escaped Minnesota Inmate Near Independence

Michael Todd Hart, a 40-year-old inmate, escaped from the Northeast Regional Corrections Center (NERC) in Saginaw, Minnesota, on Tuesday evening and remains at large more than 36 hours later. Hart is described as a white male, 5'10" tall, weighing 169 pounds, with brown hair and blue eyes, last seen wearing a yellow sweatshirt, gray T-shirt, and blue pants. Authorities believe he is heading north towards the Iron Range and the town of Independence, where he has connections. Despite extensive searches involving K-9 teams, aircraft, and drones, Hart has not been located, complicated by the heavily wooded and swampy terrain. Two accomplices have been identified and detained in connection with his escape. Officials strongly advise the public not to approach Hart and to immediately call 911 if he is spotted.