Police in Louisiana said Monday they caught two of the four inmates who escaped from jail over the weekend, unbeknownst to the guards who were supposed to be watching them.
Omarion Hookfin, 19; Avery Guidry, 19; Jamarcus Cyprian, 20, and Travon Johnson, 21, who were all incarcerated at the Tangipahoa Parish Jail, escaped through a weak portion of the jail’s chain-linked fence on Saturday and Sunday, Chief Jimmy Travis of the Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff’s Office told reporters during a news conference Monday.
Omarion Hookfin, Jamarcus Cyprian, Travon Johnson and Avery Guidry in photos released by police.
Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff’s Office
The jail’s officials did not know about the breakouts until they received a phone call Sunday afternoon from a family member of one of the escapees, Travis said. The relative alerted them that two inmates escaped Saturday and came to a relative’s house in the middle of the night looking for a place to stay, Travis said.
By the time jail staff acted, two other inmates had already escaped, according to the chief.
“It’s very concerning. If the proper head counts had been conducted, we would [have] known about it immediately,” Travis said.
The chief, however, said it wasn’t long before investigators found Johnson and Guidry, according to police, after receiving a call from someone who said they saw them.
The pair, who were arrested in connection with a 2022 homicide in Hammond, Louisiana, were hiding in a dumpster behind a Dollar General store roughly 22 miles from the jail, according to police.
Omarion Hookfin in a photo released by police.
Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff’s Office
Hookfin, who was also arrested in connection with the same 2022 homicide, and Cyprian, who was serving time for armed robbery and weapon charges, according to police records, are still on the loose and likely outside of Tangipahoa Parish, Travis said.
Jamarcus Cyprian in a photo released by police.
Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff’s Office
Travis said the investigation into the breakout is still ongoing as investigators are reviewing all evidence and clues, but he said it appeared the suspects allegedly broke through a corroded piece of the fence during recreation time.
Popular Reads
“Apparently they made their way, they hid and after dark, they went under a wall and they were able to scale two fences and get away,” Travis said about the Saturday escape.
Travis could not immediately reveal which detainee escaped when, only that two fled on Saturday and two fled on Sunday.
The chief acknowledged that the jail was short-staffed and some staffers were inexperienced, but he said that was no excuse for what happened.
“We had a failure within that we have to correct and move forward,” Travis said.
Anyone with information on the suspects can call Crime Stoppers of Tangipahoa’s anonymous tip line at 800-554-5245 or visit www.tangicrimestoppers.com.
Two inmates have reportedly escaped from a Louisiana jail, prompting a statewide manhunt and heightened security measures in the area. The escape was discovered during a routine check at the facility, with authorities confirming that the two individuals had managed to break out of their cells and flee the premises.
The inmates, whose identities have not been disclosed by authorities, are considered to be dangerous and should not be approached by the public. Law enforcement officials are urging anyone with information on their whereabouts to come forward and assist in their apprehension.
This incident serves as a stark reminder of the challenges faced by correctional facilities in maintaining the security of their premises. Despite stringent security protocols and surveillance measures, determined individuals can still find ways to escape and pose a threat to public safety.
In response to the escape, local police departments have increased patrols in the area and are working closely with state and federal agencies to track down the fugitives. Roadblocks have been set up, and residents are being advised to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity to authorities.
The escape of these inmates highlights the need for ongoing vigilance and security enhancements in correctional facilities across the country. It also underscores the importance of community cooperation in helping law enforcement agencies bring fugitives to justice and ensure the safety of all residents.
As the search for the escaped inmates continues, residents are urged to stay informed through local news outlets and official updates from law enforcement agencies. By working together, we can help ensure that these individuals are apprehended swiftly and brought back into custody before any harm is done.
