Reward raised to $50,000 each for 2 remaining fugitives in New Orleans jailbreak — Watch the jailbreak video
FBI, ATF, and Crimestoppers increase rewards for Antoine Massey and Derick Groves, still at large since May 16 escape.
The authorities in New Orleans have increased the reward for the last two fugitives that escaped after the dramatic jailbreak of some ten inmates. Antoine Massey and Derick Groves escaped from the Orleans Justice Center on May 16 and have not yet been accounted for.
On Thursday, the FBI, ATF, & Crimestoppers of Greater New Orleans announced they are offering a reward of $50,000 each for these fugitives. Officials state they are closing in on the suspects who appear to be receiving assistance moving throughout the city. Eight of the ten escapees have now been recaptured.
Search for Massey and Groves intensifies
FBI Special Agent in Charge Jonathan Tapp said that they are "closing in on" Massey and Groves. "Today is the 13th day we have been searching," he said, asking the public to provide any information. Louisiana State Police Superintendent Col. Robert P. Hodges said the fugitives are still in New Orleans and "the walls are closing in."
The escape has triggered a large multi-governmental agency operation which involves local, state and federal officials. Officials noted that three of the eight captured escapees were located because of public tips and that one reward was already paid and two were pending.
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Assistance in escape leads to multiple arrests
Authorities have arrested over a dozen people for allegedly helping the fugitives escape. Sterling Williams is a jail maintenance worker and is accused of helping inmates escape by cutting off the water in a cell to allow the inmates time to dislodge the toilet then crawl through the wall after it was removed.
According to Williams, he alledgely turned off the water because there was a clogged toilet, and his attorney has stated they did not intend to help the escapees. However, a picture released from the cell shows a very large hole in the wall and graffiti that reads, “To[o] Easy Lol” and “We Innocent.”
Authorities are still asking for anyone with information about Massey or Groves to reach out to law enforcement or Crimestoppers.
