ST. PETER — A convicted sex offender who escaped late Friday or early Saturday from a St. Peter treatment center has been captured in Missouri, according to the St. Peter Police Department.

"We have just been informed that Steven Edwards has been located in the State of Missouri and was taken into custody," the department announced in a noon post on its Facebook page. "We wish to thank everyone that has provided tips and leads in the investigation. We also would like to thank those that have shared our posts far and wide."

It was the second time in fewer than 10 days that area law enforcement agencies were seeking an escapee from the Minnesota Sex Offender Program in St. Peter.

St. Peter police announced Saturday night they had been notified of an escape at 5:20 p.m.

"Officers immediately responded to the area to begin a search for the suspect. The suspect is identified as Steven Loren Edwards, 53 years old," according to the Facebook post, which included a description and photograph. "... Edwards was last seen on the Saint Peter Regional Treatment Center Campus at 6:53 PM on May 16, 2025. If you see Edwards do not approach him, immediately notify 911 with his location and direction of travel."

Additional information was relayed just before midnight Saturday.

"We have been able to confirm that Edwards was in the City of Albert Lea earlier today (Saturday)," police said. "Edwards has also acquired a 2004 silver Dodge Stratus, bearing Minnesota temporary license 03900353."

The next update was the Sunday report of his capture in Missouri.

Edwards has "a history of alleged and proven criminal sexual conduct" dating back to 2000, according to a 2019 Minnesota Court of Appeals decision reversing a plan by the state's Commitment Appeal Panel to reduce his level of custody.

"In December 2000, a woman reported that respondent tried to rape her in a gas-station restroom. Respondent denied the allegation, and the state did not file charges," the Appeals Court noted in its findings of fact. "In July 2001, a woman reported that respondent masturbated in front of her and touched her breasts. Respondent admitted that conduct, but the state did not file charges. Also in July 2001, respondent physically and sexually assaulted a 15-year-old girl. He was later convicted of second-degree criminal sexual conduct for that offense. In September 2001, respondent held a pair of scissors to the neck of a 16-year-old girl (in the course of a sexual assault). ... He was convicted of kidnapping and first-degree criminal sexual conduct for that offense."

Edwards was civilly committed as a sexually dangerous person in October of 2011.

It was only the previous Friday, May 9, that St. Peter police were alerted to the escape of another patient from the Sex Offender Program early that morning.

Beau-Jacob Edward Zimmer, 45, reportedly escaped at about 1:30 a.m. on May 9 and was captured just after 7 a.m. following a citizen's tip. When they alerted the public, police said Zimmer was on a bicycle and possibly armed with a kitchen knife.