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By Monica Sager
Live News Reporter
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Louisiana police are still looking for two of the four inmates who escaped from jail over the weekend, without guards knowing the prisoners were not in confinement for at least a day.
Omarion Hookfin, 19, and Jamarcus Cyprian, 20, are still at large as of Tuesday morning after they escaped the perimeter fence of the Tangipahoa Parish Jail, according to the sheriff's office.
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Avery Guidry, 19, and Travon Johnson, 21, were both taken back into custody Monday morning. Deputies found them hiding in a dumpster behind a Dollar General Store in Hammond, Louisiana about 20 miles from the jail.
Newsweek attempted to reach out to the Tangipahoa Parish Jail but did not receive a comment.
How did this happen?
Sherriff Daniel Edwards said the four inmates escaped while participating in recreation time on the yard.
"Upon inspection of the perimeter fence, a section of the fence was found to be vulnerable and easily maneuvered in such a way that a small statured body could slide through," according to a Facebook post from the Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff's Office.
Chief Jimmy Travis told reporters during a news conference on Monday that the inmates escaped on Saturday and Sunday.
"Apparently they made their way, they hid and after dark, they went under a wall and they were able to scale two fences and get away," Travis said.
Jail officials did not know about the breakouts until they received a phone call on Sunday from one of the escapees' family member, according to Travis. The relative had said two of the inmates came to a family member's home in the middle of the night looking for a place to stay.
Travis acknowledged at the press conference that the jail was short-staffed. He also said some of the staffers were inexperienced.
"It's very concerning," Travis said. "If the proper head counts had been conducted, we would [have] known about it immediately."
Who are the four inmates?
Hookfin, Johnson and Guidry were in jail for a 2022 homicide in Hammond. The homicide was part of a home invasion that ended with a 12-year-old girl in the hospital and her 33-year-old father dead.
Hookfin, who is still on the loose, also acquired additional charges of aggravated battery while incarcerated in Catahoula Parish.
Cyprian was serving time for armed robbery and weapon charges, according to the sheriff's office.
Edwards is asking for anyone with firsthand knowledge to contact 911, or to remain anonymous, call Crime Stoppers of Tangipahoa's anonymous tip line at 1-800-554-5245 or visit tangicrimestoppers.com and click on the P3 Tips icon or Submit A Tip.
Tippers may be eligible for a cash reward.
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