Ten violent inmates escape from a New Orleans prison

Washington, (EFE) – Ten inmates with violent records escaped from a prison in New Orleans, Louisiana, on Friday, and at least one of them has been captured by authorities, who continue to search for the remaining fugitives.

According to images distributed by the Orleans Sheriff’s Office, the ten inmates allegedly escaped through a hole they made behind a toilet in the Orleans Justice Center.

On the same wall, they drew several inscriptions with a pen, including an arrow pointing to the hole and a message that read: “Too easy, haha.”

According to authorities, they escaped around midnight, and it wasn’t until 8:30 a.m. local time (1:30 p.m. GMT) that prison staff noticed their absence during a routine headcount.

In a press conference, Orleans Sheriff Susan Hutson noted that there are indications the inmates received assistance from law enforcement officers.

Authorities warned that the escapees, all men and ranging in age from 20 to 42, are dangerous and may be armed.

At least four of them are charged with murder, and others face charges for violent assault with a firearm or drug offenses, according to jail records reviewed by local media.

Louisiana State Police have so far arrested Kendell Myles, one of the escapees, in the parking lot of a downtown hotel in the city.

Myles was detained after a brief chase and tried to hide under a vehicle.

The search for the remaining escapees is ongoing, and the sheriff’s office is working in coordination with local and state law enforcement to take them into custody, authorities reported.

Initially, authorities reported that eleven people had escaped from the center, but later claimed there was a miscount and that ten escapees had actually escaped.

“Thank you to Trooper NOLA (State Police) for their diligence and swiftness in apprehending the first escapee. To the other ten: YOU’RE NEXT!” Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry declared on social media.

The incident has sparked outrage in Louisiana, with State Attorney General Liz Murrill stating that “someone clearly made a mistake, and there is no excuse for this.”

*As of May 19th, seven of the six escapees remain at large.