Eight inmates, described by authorities as violent offenders, have been returned to custody following a dramatic escape from the Riverbend Detention Center in Louisiana. The multi-agency manhunt concluded on Saturday with the capture of the final three fugitives, bringing an end to the high-stakes search operation.
Details of the Escape and Recapture
Louisiana State Police confirmed that all eight prisoners broke out of the facility around 1:20 a.m. on Friday. The escape prompted an immediate and coordinated response from multiple law enforcement agencies. Shortly after midnight on Saturday, authorities announced that the final three fugitives had been located and taken back into custody.
The inmates involved in the escape include:
- Hugo Molino, aged 27
- Trenton Taplin, aged 29
- Savon Wheeler, aged 31
- Destin Brogan, aged 22
- Kelin Looney, aged 21
- Krisean Salinas, aged 21
- Kevin Slaughter, aged 25
- Koplelon Vicknair, aged 19
Serious Charges Faced by Inmates
Among the escapees, four face particularly grave allegations. According to local media reports:
- Trenton Taplin is charged with first-degree murder and attempted murder.
- Destin Brogan and Kelin Looney are both charged with second-degree murder.
- Koplelon Vicknair was awaiting sentencing in connection with a homicide from 2023.
Police have not released specific details regarding the methods used in the escape or the precise circumstances of their recapture. However, they emphasised that the arrests followed a coordinated CREST mission involving Louisiana State Police alongside numerous local, state, and federal agencies.
A Pattern of High-Profile Jailbreaks in Louisiana
This incident represents the latest in a series of significant prison escapes to occur in Louisiana within a relatively short timeframe. It marks the second high-profile mass jailbreak in the state in recent months, raising questions about security protocols and facility maintenance.
Previous Escapes in the State
In December, two inmates accused of violent crimes managed to evade capture for nearly two weeks after escaping from a jail in southwest Louisiana. Their method involved dismantling a deteriorating wall and using bedsheets to scale the perimeter of the facility. A third inmate involved in that breakout later died by suicide after authorities tracked him down.
Earlier, in May, an even more elaborate escape captured national attention when ten inmates broke out of a New Orleans jail. Investigators later revealed that breakout involved broken cell doors, a breached bathroom wall, and a climb over a security barrier. A multi-state search ensued, lasting five months before all ten inmates were finally apprehended and returned to custody.
The recurrence of such incidents underscores ongoing challenges within the state's correctional system. Authorities continue to investigate the latest escape at the Riverbend Detention Center, while the public and officials alike await further details on the security lapses that permitted this dangerous breach.
