New Orleans jail escapee releases videos asking for help while on the run

A man who identified himself arsenic a New Orleans jailhouse escapee released videos connected societal media while still connected nan run, starring to a constabulary ambush that grounded to recapture him, an Associated Press root says.

Authorities were truthful convinced astir nan authenticity of nan videos that they searched a location a small complete 3.7 kilometres from nan jailhouse precocious Monday wherever they judge nan recordings were made by escapee Antoine Massey, according to a elder rule enforcement charismatic who said connected information of anonymity.

The charismatic said he wasn't authorised to publically talk nan ongoing investigation into nan May 16 flight by 10 inmates.

Massey was not astatine nan New Orleans location connected nan separator of nan Fairgrounds and Gentilly neighbourhoods, nan charismatic said, but authorities did find clothing they judge he wore during filming.

The proprietor of nan home, Shedrick Burnell, said it was being rented and declined to sanction nan tenant. He told AP by telephone that he had ne'er seen aliases heard of Massey earlier nan jailbreak and nan videos circulated online, but he appeared unfazed that a fugitive had apt utilized his spot arsenic a hideout.

“I’m 76, I’ve seen a helluva batch worse than this,” said nan Louisiana native. “As agelong arsenic my tenant is safe, there’s thing I tin do.”

When an AP newsman knocked astatine nan location Tuesday afternoon, nary 1 answered.

Next door, a location nether building had been kicked successful and nan backdoor, gross and windows were unfastened — apt owed to nan constabulary search, said Tariq Aldahir, an electrician who had been moving connected that property, adjacent to wherever Massey had allegedly been hiding.

“It’s a small scary - if he is arsenic vulnerable a criminal arsenic they opportunity he is, what is he tin of doing?” Aldahir said. “He’s hopeless - immoderate quality being who is desperate, there’s nary limit to what they tin do.”

Authorities were tipped to nan videos, posted online Sunday, by relatives who recognised nan residence.

Authorities are racing to recapture Massey and convicted murderer Derrick Groves, much than 2 weeks since nan audacious breakout. Eight different escapees person since been recaptured.

State Police Superintendent Col. Robert Hodges said that contempt nan agency’s assurance successful its investigations, “things alteration astatine a moment’s announcement and it’s usually because personification has helped them.” He encouraged group to support offering tips. Authorities are offering a US$50,000 (A$77,000) reward per escapee.

Louisiana State Police, nan agency starring nan search, declined to remark connected whether it had verified Massey's personality successful nan videos. The agency carried retired nan hunt related to nan videos — since removed from Instagram — which seemingly show a man pinch nan aforesaid facial tattoos arsenic Massey sitting adjacent a kitchen.

“Please, I’m asking for help,” said Massey, appealing to President Donald Trump and respective rappers including New Orleans autochthonal Lil Wayne successful 1 video. “When I get backmost successful custody I’m asking y’all please to travel and help.”

Orleans Parish Sheriff Susan Hutson urged Massey to surrender, adding successful a statement: “Cooperating pinch rule enforcement is successful his champion liking and whitethorn thief debar further charges."

Massey, 32, faced charges of rape, kidnapping, home unit involving strangulation and usurpation of a protective bid each stemming from a November 2024 incident, authorities successful adjacent St. Tammany Parish say. In Orleans Parish he faced charges of centrifugal conveyance theft and home battery.

Massey said he's guiltless and besides claimed connected video that he'd been “let out” of jail.

A female constabulary identified arsenic being successful an on-again, off-again narration pinch Massey — and who suffered from home maltreatment astatine his hands, constabulary reports bespeak — was arrested and charged pinch obstruction of justness and arsenic a main to aggravated escape, tribunal records show. Authorities said nan female knew of Massey’s flight plans beforehand, communicated pinch him afterward and misled authorities.

During a Tuesday property conference, Gov. Jeff Landry, a tough-on-crime Republican, urged nan 2 escapees “quit nan hide-and-seek game” and move themselves in.

Video and images from nan breakout show inmates had yanked unfastened a faulty compartment door, removed a toilet and crawled done a spread wherever alloy bars had been trim earlier utilizing blanks to get complete a barbed ligament fence.

A attraction worker charged pinch helping nan incarcerated men flight has denied knowingly aiding them, via his lawyer.