AUTHORITIES are on the hunt for one more inmate after three allegedly escaped from a prison Wednesday in a Shawshank-style move.
The remaining inmate’s whereabouts are still unknown as of Sunday morning as officials warn the public to be cautious.
Three prisoners allegedly escaped Wednesday from the St. Landry Parish Jail in Louisiana, the St. Landry Parish Sheriff’s Office (SLPSO) said.
“The inmates discovered a degrading part of an upper wall area and over time, removed the mortar allowing them to remove concrete blocks and provide their exit,” officials explained.
“The inmates used sheets and other items to scale the outer wall, drop onto the 1st Floor roof and lower themselves to the ground.”
SEARCH CONTINUES
The three prisoners were identified as Keith Eli, 24, Johnathan Jevon Joseph, 24, and Joseph Allen Harrington, 26. All three were in prison on felony offenses.
Officials are still looking for Eli, who was charged with attempted second-degree murder.
“We will continue our efforts, without end, to apprehend Keith Eli,” Sheriff Bobby J. Guidroz said in a statement.
“We would prefer that he surrender himself peaceably, but we will not rest until he is captured,” Guidroz continued.
TWO OF THREE FOUND
Joseph, a 24-year-old inmate who was charged with being a principal to first-degree rape, marijuana possession and multiple firearm possession charges, has since been captured by officials, per a press release shared with The U.S. Sun.
Joseph was captured on Friday, two days after the prison break.
Investigators had been following a tip that led them to find Joseph, Guidroz said.
Joseph was found hiding out in a home, the Associated Press (AP) reported.
He ran to a storage shed nearby after officials arrived, where he ultimately surrendered himself after being cornered, SLPSO spokesperson Mark LeBlanc told the AP.
Harrington, the third inmate who is now deceased, was found by officials on Thursday.
The 26-year-old killed himself with a firearm after police discovered him at a home and urged him to come out, Port Barre Police Chief Deon Boudreaux told the AP.
Harrington had been convicted on nine felony charges, including home invasion, child endangerment, aggravated assault with a firearm and aggravated burglary and one misdemeanor, criminal damage to property.
LeBlanc told The U.S. Sun that “Sheriff Guidroz has authorized additional deputies to secure the breached area in the jail and is awaiting the Parish Government’s response to affect repairs.”
Anyone with information on Eli’s whereabouts is being urged to call the sheriff’s office at 337-948-6516 or Crime Stoppers at 337-948-TIPS.
Those with information can also use the P3 app on their phone to submit anonymous tips about the crime.
“All calls are anonymous and you can earn a cash reward for information leading to an arrest,” officials noted.
