By ALlen Powell
Times-Picayune
GRETNA, La. — A prisoner who escaped from police custody outside the Gretna courthouse Wednesday morning has a history of eluding authorities, including an improbable disappearance from the Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office detectives bureau in 2007.
Lum B. Jones, 23, whose last known address was 536 Emile Ave. near Westwego, escaped from Concordia Parish correctional officers transporting him to the 24th Judicial Court about 9 a.m.
While being escorted inside the courthouse, Jones pushed a deputy down and ran to a waiting vehicle, said Col. John Fortunato, JPSO spokesman. While running, he managed to shed his prison attire and jumped into the car wearing only his white boxer shorts, Fortunato said. A Concordia Parish official said Jones was shackled on his hands and feet, and those shackles were connected by a belly chain.
The blue vehicle was last seen fleeing toward the West Bank Expressway with several people inside. A vehicle matching the description of the one in which Jones fled was parked in the backyard of his last known address, but authorities would not say whether the car is related to the incident.
Jones was scheduled to appear in court Wednesday after being charged with two counts of battery of a police officer, simple burglary, simple escape, possession of narcotics with intent to distribute near a school and aggravated flight from a police officer. Those charges stem from incidents in December 2007 and September 2008.
Jones was being housed by the Louisiana Department of Corrections at River Correctional Center in Ferriday. He has a lengthy rap sheet with previous convictions for being an accessory to armed robbery, narcotics distribution and unauthorized use of a movable. Jones has received probation on several occasions, but also has served time at several correctional facilities.
The West Bank Major Crimes Task Force is handling the investigation of Jones’ disappearance, said Maj. Anthony Christiana, a spokesman for the Gretna Police Department. Christiana said the task force, composed of officers from several West Bank law enforcement agencies, will search for Jones and will review Jones’ belongings and prison phone records to determine how he was able to arrange his escape.
“Because of his prior activities, he is considered a very dangerous individual,” Christiana said.
--- Escape artist ---
Jones’ escape is one of several instances where he has attempted to elude capture by police through violence, flight or subterfuge, according to JPSO incident reports.
In December 2007, Jones escaped from an interview room at the detective’s bureau despite being handcuffed to a security chain and being under close supervision by deputies, according to an incident report. Authorities were investigating Jones after they arranged to purchase $200 worth of crack cocaine by contacting him through one of his “business cards.” Jones arranged to deliver the narcotics to a deputy waiting near Marrero Middle School on Seventh Street in Harvey, according to the incident report.
Deputies seized narcotics and cash during a search of his vehicle and brought Jones to the bureau, on Maple Avenue near West Jefferson High School, for questioning.
According to the incident report, Jones was handcuffed to a security chain while deputies filled out paperwork. The report states that deputies checked on Jones numerous times, but the last time they went he was gone. All deputies found was an open window, and a red baseball cap on a table in the room. The Sheriff’s Office conducted a canine search nearby but could not find Jones, the report stated.
--- Plenty of time to plan ---
In September, Jones led deputies on a lengthy car and foot pursuit through Marrero. According to an incident report, Jones and a female passenger were driving on Sauvage Avenue when Jones saw a parked patrol car and made an abrupt U-turn. The deputy stopped Jones’ vehicle and ordered him to exit the car. Jones initially complied, but then jumped in his car and drove across the front lawn of a home, according to the report.
Deputies chased Jones for several blocks, and Jones eventually stopped his vehicle in the 5800 block of Coubra Drive in Marrero, fleeing on foot with the woman. Jones was captured inside a home on Coubra. The report states that Jones forced his way inside the home while fighting off a deputy who was trying to apprehend him. Jones also had stripped down to his underwear in an attempt to elude authorities.
Fortunato said Jones and other criminals spend a lot of time devising ways to break free, and it is impossible for law enforcement officials to prevent all attempts. He said the Concordia Parish Sheriff’s Office would have to answer questions about whether they were aware of Jones’ escape history.
“No matter what we try to do, these guys sit around and find ways to counteract it,” Fortunato said.
Copyright 2009 Times-Picayune