New Orleans Jailbreak: How It Went Unnoticed for Hours and Triggered a Manhunt
Manhunt Continues for Escaped Inmates Following New Orleans Jailbreak
A dramatic escape from a New Orleans jail has led to an intense search operation involving over 200 law enforcement officers. The jailbreak, which has left five inmates still at large, has sparked concern and raised questions about security measures at the facility.
The incident began late on Thursday, May 15, when the jail was put on lockdown. By early Friday morning, surveillance footage revealed a group of inmates forcing open a cell door and removing a combination sink-toilet to create an escape route. With water turned off, they sawed through steel bars and made their way through the building’s loading dock and onto a nearby construction site.
The escape wasn’t discovered until a routine headcount at 8:30 a.m., prompting a full-scale search of the facility. The Orleans Parish Sheriff’s Office reported that the inmates were seen using blankets to protect themselves from barbed wire as they climbed over a fence and fled into a nearby neighborhood.
Leading up to the escape, inmate Antoine Massey reportedly coerced maintenance worker Sterling Williams into shutting off water for the cell block under threat. Williams has since been arrested and charged with multiple felonies, including malfeasance in office.
As of Wednesday, law enforcement had captured five of the escaped inmates. Myles was apprehended after being spotted in the French Quarter, hiding under a car in a hotel parking garage. Another inmate, Robert Moody, was found following a tip-off to Crimestoppers. Dkenan Dennis and Gary Price were also captured in different parts of the city, while Corey Boyd was taken into custody on Tuesday evening.
The search continues for the remaining fugitives. Sheriff Susan Hutson has called for additional funding to improve the security infrastructure at the jail, highlighting longstanding issues with faulty cell door locks. The situation has left many in New Orleans uneasy, as discussions about safety measures within correctional facilities take center stage.
The Louisiana State Police are coordinating efforts alongside federal and local agencies to track down the remaining escapees. Authorities remain vigilant as they comb through surveillance footage and follow up on leads.
This incident underscores significant concerns about jail security and oversight. As the search persists, the community watches closely, waiting for updates on this unfolding situation that has gripped New Orleans and beyond.
For more details, see this background on crime trends.
