Chile! Lake Providence, Louisiana – a quiet town in East Carroll Parish, just a few miles from the Mississippi and Arkansas borders, became the scene of a real-life jailbreak thriller this week. Eight inmates disappeared from the Riverbend Detention Center Thursday evening, Jan. 29, leaving nervous residents and law enforcement scrambling. Law enforcement captured all eight detainees in less than 24 hours, but not before leaving a trail of questions and chaos.
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Violent inmates captured after daring escape from Louisiana prison
Authorities have retained the details of Lake Providence’s secret escape, including how the men got out and the exact sequence of their captures. Furthermore, what is known is that the detainees were aged between 19 and 31. They were considered violent offenders and faced charges ranging from murder to aggravated assault. Among the escapees were Destin Brogan, Trenton Taplin and Hugo Molina, all linked to high-profile cases in East Baton Rouge, while the others were from parishes across the state, including Lafayette, St. Mary, Rapides and Acadia.
Louisiana escapees tracked across state lines
Law the police organized the captures Friday afternoon through Saturday morning, coordinating a multi-agency effort that spanned state lines. Louisiana State Police led the operation, coordinating with local departments in East Carroll Parish, Madison Parish, Ouachita Parish, Alexandria Parish and even as far away as Yazoo City, Mississippi. Law enforcement arrested at least one inmate at a Love’s Travel stop in Lake Village, Arkansas — nearly two hours from Riverbend Prison — showing just how far the men had traveled in their brief bid for freedom.
Winter storm, daring escape and law enforcement victories
Last week’s winter storm hit Riverbend Detention Center, cutting power to more than a quarter of East Carroll Parish residents. Sheriff Wydette Williams acknowledged the difficult week on social media, thanking first responders and neighbors for their efforts. While the storm may have created complications, the rapid capture of the eight detainees shows the extent of coordination between federal, state and local authorities. And it reminds us once again of Louisiana’s recent history of daring prison escapes.
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