Seven Louisiana inmates roam free after three arrests... as new footage emerges of desperate prison break
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Seven escaped inmates remain at large after a massive prison break in Louisiana as new footage reveals the shocking moment the group made a desperate bid for freedom.
Ten inmates at the Orleans Parish Jail in New Orleans escaped from prison through a wall behind a toilet and craftily used a blanket to protect themselves from the barbed wire fence on Friday morning, according to Sheriff Susan Hutson.
A huge search broke out around 8:30am when the inmates were nowhere to be found.
The fugitives are considered 'armed and dangerous.' Authorities believe they had inside help and exited the jail around 1:01 am.
Shocking footage of the daring break out revealed the inmates sprinting down the prison steps in grey and orange prison gear.
Surveillance video also showed the moment when prisoners made it to Interstate 10 and sprinted across the multi-lane freeway.
Separate footage from inside the prison revealed the inmates prying open a door before their daring escape.
The toilet and bolts were removed, and prison guards were left with messages on the wall, including one that read, 'to easy LOL.'
The Louisiana Police Department released the mugshots of all ten escaped prisoners identified as Corey Boyd, Dkenan Dennis, Jermaine Donald, Derrick Groves, Antoine Massey, Robert Moody, Kendell Myles, Gary Price, Leo Tate, and Lenton Vanburen.
Initial reports cited 11 inmates, but Hutson later clarified that Keith Lewis was incorrectly named as a fugitive.
Police announced at 1 pm that Kendell Myles was located and arrested in the French Quarter, a tourist hotspot in New Orleans.
'After a brief foot pursuit, he was apprehended on Royal Street. Troopers continue working with partners to locate the remaining escapees and ensure public safety,' LA State Police said in a statement.
He was discovered hiding under a car at the Hotel Monteleone parking garage, and Louisiana State Troopers chased him 'without further incident.'
Myles was previously charged with attempted second-degree murder and now faces a simple escape charge for the prison break, according to the Orleans Parish Sheriff's Office.
The Sheriff's Office announced at 8:40 pm that a second inmate, Robert Moody, was captured and put in custody at 7:32 pm following a Crimestoppers tip.
Moody was found in the Lower Garden District and was apprehended by the LA State Police, Troop NOLA, and the FBI.
He was in prison on charges of illegal carrying of a weapon with narcotics, attempted second-degree battery, and obstruction, according to Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill. Moody will also face charges related to the prison break.
Authorities announced the capture and arrest of a third inmate, Dkenan Dennis, just after 10 pm.
Seven inmates remain at large, including Derrick Groves, who was convicted on two charges of second-degree murder and attempted second-degree murder last year for a 2018 shooting on Mardi Gras.
Authorities have warned that Groves could be violent and may attempt to locate witnesses in the murder trial.
Another fugitive, Corey Boyd, has pleaded not guilty to a pending second-degree murder charge.
As law enforcement rapidly works to locate the fugitives, authorities are working to determine how they escaped.
Murrill slammed prison authorities in a statement on social media, writing, '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.'
Orleans Parish District Attorney Jason Williams echoed a similar sentiment, telling reporters that the prison break represented 'an unprecedented failure.'
'I've got a deep fear right now for people who were brave enough to come forward to testify in these cases,' he told local NBC affiliate, WDSU-TV.
'This is a very dangerous situation that has only been made more dangerous because of the poor leadership and lack of transparency.'
New Orleans Police Superintendent Anne Kirkpatrick warned the public that assisting any of the fugitives will result in criminal charges.
Kirkpatrick told reporters that, along with local authorities FBI and the US Marshals have joined the hunt.
She added that victims connected to the fugitives have been notified of the prison break, and one family was relocated for their safety.
Kirkpatrick reminded the public to remain extra vigilant and be aware that the fugitives may now be in plain clothes.
The FBI has issued a reward of up to $5,000 for tips leading to the arrest of an inmate.
Anyone with information is asked to call the FBI at 1-800-Call-FBI or send digital tips to fbi.gov/neworleansfugitives.
