( CNN ) -- A man who escaped from a Florida work release center in 1979 while serving a sentence for armed robbery has been captured in Missouri , authorities said Monday . Oscar Eugene Richardson , 61 , was arrested Saturday in Ridgedale , Missouri , as a result of information received through a police hot line , the Florida Department of Law Enforcement and the state Department of Corrections said . He is the first fugitive captured as part of the Florida `` 12 Days of Fugitives '' campaign . `` Richardson is the oldest case among the dozen escapees and it is fitting that justice caught up with him first , '' said Florida Department of Law Enforcement Commissioner Gerald Bailey . Richardson escaped from the Kissimmee Work Release center in March 1979 after serving less than two years of his 10-year sentence , police said . He had robbed a Tampa , Florida , drugstore in January 1977 , holding two employees at gunpoint as he demanded money from the store 's safe . Two months later he robbed a convenience store in Tampa , holding the clerk at gunpoint and demanding she fill a bag with money , authorities said . He fled but was apprehended minutes later . At the time of his arrest Saturday , Richardson was living under the alias Eugene Ward and using a false Social Security number , officials said . Police believe he had been living in the same area of Missouri for many years . He was arrested by a U.S . Marshals Service task force . The 12 Days of Fugitives campaign , launched December 7 , is aimed at Florida 's oldest and most violent prison escapees , the departments ' statement said . Newspapers are featuring the fugitives in print and online photo galleries and the Florida Outdoor Advertising Association and its member companies are providing donated space on billboards . `` The campaign is designed to reach the public during the holiday season , when investigators believe the wanted men are most likely to contact friends , family and loved ones , '' the Florida Department of Law Enforcement said . More than $ 22,000 in reward money is available -- up to $ 2,500 per fugitive -- for information leading to their capture . The money is provided by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement , the Department of Corrections and the Florida Police Chiefs ' Association .
Oscar Richardson , 61 , arrested in Missouri after police receive tip . - July 3 : A man is shot and killed by a Chicago Police officer during an arrest for allegedly trying to steal a car from the parking lot of a nearby store. He was serving a sentence for armed robbery when he escaped . Authorities : Richardson was living under an alias in Missouri .