Daring Hollywood-style jailbreak ends in tragedy

Authorities in St. Landry Parish, Louisiana, found themselves dealing with a jail escape that was so bold it could have come from a 70s prison movie. Only this one ended in tragedy. Three inmates slipped out of the Opelousas jail last week after prying loose aging concrete blocks from a weakened wall. Their plan was far from sophisticated, but proved more than effective. Sheriff Bobby J. Guidroz admitted that the breakout was possible because the inmates had discovered what he called a ‘degrading part of an upper wall area’. Over time they removed enough mortar to pull out concrete blocks that opened a gap large enough for all three men to slither out and make good their daring escape. (Pictures: St. Landry Parish Sheriff’s Office/AP)

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The method was as improvised as it was patient. Exactly what any good jail break needs. After creating the hole, the trio used ‘sheets and other items’ to scale the outer wall then ‘drop onto’ a first floor roof before ‘lowering themselves to the ground’. Guidroz confirmed the incident would be fully investigated internally saying: ‘Jail Supervisory Staff will be providing a comprehensive report and both will be forwarded to my office for appropriate action.’ (Picture: St. Landry Parish Sheriff’s Office)

Deputies quickly learned that each escapee had taken a different path once on the outside. Two were found within days, although only one of the pair survived. The final fugitive is 24 year-old Keith Eli, who is charged with second degree murder. As officers continue searching, Sheriff Guidroz urged Eli to give himself up. He said: ‘We would prefer that Eli surrender himself peaceably,’ adding, ‘but we will not rest until he is captured.’ His warning set the tone for a manhunt that stretched into the weekend. Eli is still at large. (Picture: Google)

Eli’s (pictured) disappearance has kept detectives and SWAT teams searching across southwestern Louisiana. Major Mark LeBlanc said there was no evidence he had left the parish and advised residents to secure their homes and vehicles. LeBlanc noted that jail escapes tend to happen when opportunity meets determination. As he put it: ‘These three were just a little more creative than in years past’, adding: ‘They’re charged with violent felonies and we know they were desperate to get away.’ (Picture: St. Landry Parish Sheriff’s Office/AP)

The second escapee, 24 year-old Johnathan Jevon Joseph (pictured), was apprehended after investigators followed a tip to a home. LeBlanc said Joseph sprinted into a nearby storage shed but gave up once officers closed in. Joseph had been jailed on suspicion of rape and related charges. LeBlanc also issued a public warning during the operation, saying: ‘Anyone who helps the escapees will be prosecuted,’ as police worked to cut off any support the men may have been receiving. (Picture: St. Landry Parish Sheriff’s Office/AP)

The third man, 26 year-old Joseph Allen Harrington (pictured), was also found, but died during the confrontation. Port Barre Police Chief Deon Boudreaux said officers urged Harrington to exit a home using a loudspeaker. Instead, Harrington used a hunting rifle to take his own life. He had previously faced several felony charges that included home invasion. (Picture: St. Landry Parish Sheriff’s Office/AP)

LeBlanc said he was not aware of the jail being breached this way in the past, although he added that inmates will always test their limits if given enough time. The breakout highlighted the pressure on aging facilities like this one that lies 130 miles northwest of New Orleans. (Picture: St. Landry Parish Sheriff’s Office)

The Shawshank Redemptionesque incident arrived in a year already marked by jailbreak surprises in Louisiana. In May, 10 inmates crawled through a hole behind a toilet in a New Orleans jail and left a message reading ‘To Easy LoL’ [sic]. All ten were captured within five months after searches across multiple states. (Picture: Orleans Parish Sheriff’s Office)

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