SPENCER, S.D. (AP) — Some residents and travelers in the Spencer area in southeastern South Dakota are on edge as authorities continue searching for an escaped prisoner.

Authorities say 31-year-old Oscar Herrera-Menjivar was being transported from Florida to Nebraska when he escaped from a prisoner transport bus early Saturday. It had stopped at a fuel station off Interstate 90.

Some area residents like Craig McManus think the escaped prisoner is long gone. But others like farmer Calvin Heitzman says that corn fields in the area make a good hiding place, especially since they’ll provide food if the corn is mature.

Authorities say Herrera-Menjivar should be considered dangerous and travelers in the area should not pick up hitchhikers. He was originally charged with sexual assault of a minor.