Additional Coverage:
One of the two inmates who remained at large after escaping from a southwest Louisiana jail earlier this week has been apprehended. A third inmate, who was part of the breakout, died by suicide after being located by police.
Jonathan Joseph, 24, was taken into custody without incident. Joseph faces several charges, including principal to first-degree rape, and was arrested in connection with a drive-by shooting earlier this week.
Joseph Harrington, 26, who faced multiple felony charges including home invasion, was recognized by a tipster on Thursday while pushing an e-bike. Authorities located the e-bike at a nearby residence and, while attempting to coax Harrington out, heard a gunshot. Port Barre Police Chief Deon Boudreaux confirmed Harrington died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound from a hunting rifle.
Keith Eli, 24, remains at large and is charged with attempted second-degree murder. The public is advised to call 911 or the sheriff’s office immediately if Eli is spotted and to avoid approaching him.
The three men escaped the St. Landry Parish Jail early Wednesday.
Sheriff Bobby J. Guidroz stated that the inmates exploited “a degrading part of an upper wall area,” gradually removing mortar and concrete blocks to create an exit.
Following their egress, authorities reported that the inmates utilized sheets and other materials to scale the exterior wall, reach a first-floor roof, and then descend to the ground.
The escape will be subject to an internal investigation. Sheriff’s department spokesperson Maj.
Mark LeBlanc urged residents to secure their homes and vehicles and warned that anyone assisting the escapees would face prosecution. LeBlanc noted that while he was unaware of similar breaches in the past, given sufficient time and opportunity, anyone would attempt to escape.
He remarked, “These three were just a little more creative than in years past.”
This incident marks the latest in a series of audacious jail escapes in Louisiana. Earlier this year, ten inmates broke out of a New Orleans jail by crawling through a hole behind a toilet. It took five months, a multi-state search, and the discovery of a message at the escape site reading “To Easy LoL” before all ten inmates were recaptured.