Authorities are still searching for one inmate, charged with murder, who remains at large after a jailbreak involving three felony offenders from a Louisiana penitentiary occurred on Wednesday.
The trio made their escape from the St. Landry Parish Jail located in Opelousas, as reported by Sheriff Bobby J. Guidroz.
According to Guidroz, the inmates exploited a weakened section of an upper wall, gradually removing the mortar until they could dislodge the concrete blocks, creating a path for their escape.
Afterward, they fashioned makeshift ropes from sheets and other materials to scale down the exterior wall, reach the first-floor roof, and descend to the ground.
CBS News relayed that Keith Eli, aged 24, is the sole escapee who remains on the run. He was detained on charges of attempted second-degree murder. Authorities warn that Eli is armed and dangerous and advise the public not to confront him. Anyone who spots Eli should immediately contact 911.
The most recent capture was that of Jonathan Jevon Joseph, also 24, who was being held on charges that included being an accessory to first-degree rape and illegal firearm possession. His apprehension occurred without any resistance.
On Thursday, Joseph Allen Harrington, 26, who was facing multiple felony charges, including home invasion, cruelty to juveniles, and firearm charges, was turned in by a tipster.
Police attempted to get Harrington to exit from a building when he reportedly shot himself with a hunting rifle, according to CBS News.
Anyone with additional information about this crime or the whereabouts of Eli is encouraged to call the St. Landry Parish Sheriff’s Office at 337-948-6516.
Tipsters can also contact Crime Stoppers at 337-948-TIPS, download the P3 app on your mobile device, or simply dial **TIPS on your mobile phone to tip. All calls are anonymous, and you can earn a cash reward for information leading to an arrest.
This comes after another jailbreak in Louisiana of 10 inmates earlier this year. As CrimeOnline reported in mid-May, the Orleans Parish Sheriff’s Office said inmates tampered with a defective cell door, broke it open, breached a wall behind a toilet, and escaped through a supply dock door.
Authorities believe the inmates also scaled a wall and crossed the interstate. WWL reported that although the jail was on lockdown during the escape, defective locks and doors allowed them to flee.
All 10 of those inmates were captured, with the last one taken into custody in October.
Check back for updates.
[Feature Photo via St. Landry Parish Sheriff’s Office]
