Nine dangerous inmates remain at large after a shocking escape from a Louisiana prison, where authorities say the group may have received help from someone inside the facility.
At around 8.30am Friday morning, 10 inmates considered ‘armed and dangerous’ were discovered missing during a routine head count at Orleans Parish Jail, according to the New Orleans Police Department.
According to Orleans Parish Sheriff Susan Hutson, the inmates managed to escape from their cell after breaching a wall behind a toilet. Authorities believe that they fled shortly after midnight, and may have had ‘inside’ help.
‘We have indication that these detainees received assistance in their escape from individuals inside of our department,’ Hutson said.
After breaching the wall at the Orleans Justice Center, the escapees scaled another wall and managed to cross the interstate, the sheriff added.
The 10 inmates have been identified as Corey Boyd, Dkenan Dennis, Jermaine Donald, Derrick Groves, Antoine Massey, Robert Moody, Kendell Myles, Gary Price, Leo Tate and Lenton Vanburen, WVUE reported.
The discovery prompted the Orleans Parish Sheriff’s Office to activate ’emergency protocols’ and launch a full-scale manhunt for the escapees.
One inmate, 20-year-old Kendell Myles, has since been apprehended after he was caught on surveillance footage in the French Quarter of New Orleans.
Ten violent inmates considered ‘armed and dangerous’ have escaped from Orleans Parish Jail in New Orleans, Louisiana, with one having been recaptured and nine still on the loose
According to Orleans Parish Sheriff Susan Hutson, the inmates managed to escape from their cell after breaching a wall behind a toilet. Authorities believe that they fled shortly after midnight, and may have had help
One inmate, 20-year-old Kendell Myles (pictured), has since been apprehended after he was caught on surveillance footage in the French Quarter of New Orleans
At 11.30am, Louisiana State Troopers chased Myles on foot and recaptured him ‘without further incident’ after he was discovered hiding under a car at the Hotel Monteleone parking garage.
Myles was previously charged with attempted second-degree murder and has since been rebooked on a simple escape charge, according to the sheriff’s office.
The remaining nine escapees are still at large and believed to be within the city. Authorities are urging the public not to approach them if spotted, as they may be dangerous.
‘We are actively working with local, state and federal law enforcement agencies in a full-scale search operation,’ Sheriff Hutson said.
The Sheriff’s Office has also launched an investigation into how the inmates escaped, which will include a review of facility protocols, staff performance and physical security measures, according to Hutson.
‘Any lapses or failures that contributed to this incident will be addressed swiftly and with full accountability,’ she said.
The bold escape sparked sharp criticism from officials, who questioned why the public wasn’t immediately notified once authorities became aware of the breakout.
In a statement on social media, Louisiana’s Attorney General Liz Murrill said: ‘Someone clearly dropped the ball, and there’s no excuse for this’.
‘This is beyond unacceptable, and once these offenders are back in custody, there must be real accountability,’ she added.
On the wall, the phrase ‘To Easy LOL’ with an arrow pointing towards the window was visible
At around 8.30am Friday morning, the inmates were discovered missing during a routine head count at Orleans Parish Jail
The discovery prompted the Orleans Parish Sheriff’s Office to activate ’emergency protocols’ and launch a full-scale manhunt for the escapees
The remaining nine escapees are still at large and believed to be within the city. Authorities are urging the public not to approach them if spotted, as they may be dangerous
Orleans Parish District Attorney Jason Williams described the escape as ‘an unprecedented failure’, WDSU reported. He also of convening a grand jury to determine who may have been involved.
‘I’ve got a deep fear right now for people who were brave enough to come forward to testify in these cases,’ he told the outlet.
‘This is a very dangerous situation that has only been made more dangerous because of the poor leadership and lack of transparency.’
However, Maj. Silas Phipps Jr., head of the Sheriff’s Office investigative bureau, stated that as of now, officials are ‘working every angle’ to locate the inmates.
‘I just want to remind the public and anyone that may be assisting them that, if we identify you and can prove that you are assisting them, we will prosecute you along with them to the fullest extent of the law,’ he said.
New Orleans Police Superintendent Anne Kirkpatrick said that some victims connected to the escapees – several of whom are facing murder charges or other violent charges such as aggravated assault – were notified about the incident, CBS News reported.
In the wake of the jailbreak, police relocated one family from their home to ensure their safety.
The New Orleans police – along with its violent offender warrant squad, the FBI, the US Marshals and the Louisiana State Police – have all joined the search for the offenders, all of whom are considered violent and housed on the same jail tier.
Kirkpatrick also cautioned the public that it was highly unlikely the criminals were still wearing their jumpsuits.
