For the second time in less than a week a work release inmate escaped from a job site in Natchitoches Parish, Sheriff Victor Jones said in a news release.
But unlike last week's escape, this inmate was captured in less than a day.
Randall Perot experienced freedom for about five hours after walking away from a work crew around 10 a.m. in the Kisatchie area. Deputies say Perot stole a U.S. Forest Service vehicle and crashed it not far away. He then ran into the woods.
He was captured around 3 p.m.
Perot is a state inmate who's serving time until 2025 for convictions of illegal possession of stolen things and illegal possession of a firearm by a person convicted of a felony. He'll now face additional charges.
Jones expressed appreciation to other agencies that helped in the search. Natchitoches Parish sheriff's deputies and corrections officers, Louisiana State Police, U.S. Forest Service law enforcement agents, Sabine and Winn sheriff's deputies searched the Kisatchie area on foot, with K-9's and all-terrain vehicles. State police provided aerial surveillance.
The other inmate to escape from a work detail was Jale Hopwood. The 33-year-old left his job site Saturday night in south Natchitoches Parish.
He was arrested Monday in Opelousas, along with his girlfriend, 34-year-old Stephanie Fruge Howe of Bossier City, and his mother, 57-year-old Raylene June Hopwood of Shreveport. Deputies say Howe and Raylene Hopwood assisted Jale Hopwood in his escape by picking him up near Chopin after he hopped a fence and ran.