NEW ORLEANS — Jail escapee Antoine Massey was recaptured on Friday, June 27, in New Orleans, marking a significant breakthrough in a six-week-long manhunt. The US Marshals Service and Louisiana State Police confirmed that Massey was apprehended in the 9400 block of Stroelitz Street in the Hollygrove area, following a tip-off.
The arrest was facilitated by a Crimestoppers tip, although Orleans Parish Sheriff Susan Hutson later clarified that the crucial information came directly to her via a phone call. Massey, found alone in a house, surrendered peacefully to law enforcement officers who had surrounded the premises.
The Escape and Capture
The recapture of Massey comes exactly six weeks after a dramatic jailbreak from the Orleans Justice Center jail, where ten inmates escaped in the early hours of May 16. Massey, aged 33, is the ninth escapee to be recaptured, leaving only Derrick Groves, a four-time convicted killer, still at large.
New Orleans Police Superintendent Anne Kirkpatrick expressed relief at Massey’s capture, stating, “He peacefully gave up to law enforcement who surrounded the house.” Meanwhile, US Marshals Chief Deputy Walter Martin assured the public that efforts to apprehend Groves would persist relentlessly.
“Groves knows, we will capture you,” Kirkpatrick emphasized. “But the opportunity is there to turn yourself in anytime.”
The Ongoing Search for Derrick Groves
The focus now shifts entirely to locating Derrick Groves, with a $50,000 reward still offered for information leading to his arrest. Col. Robert Hodges, superintendent of the Louisiana State Police, reiterated the call for public assistance, urging people to trust law enforcement and provide any useful information.
Crimestoppers CEO Darlene Cusanza revealed that over 1,200 original tips have been received since the jailbreak, underscoring the community’s involvement in the search. Anyone with information on Groves’ whereabouts is encouraged to contact authorities.
Massey’s Legal Troubles
Antoine Massey’s criminal history is extensive, with pending charges in St. Tammany Parish for rape and kidnapping, and in Orleans Parish for domestic abuse battery involving strangulation and motor vehicle theft. His capture not only brings him back into custody but also adds potential charges related to his escape.
Attorney General Liz Murrill, in a social media post, commended the law enforcement agencies involved, stating, “Antoine Massey has finally been recaptured in the Hollygrove area of New Orleans. He will now face additional charges for his role in the escape, and I’ll ensure that he will be prosecuted to the full extent of the law.”
Community and Law Enforcement Collaboration
The successful recapture of Massey highlights the critical role of community collaboration in law enforcement efforts. Sheriff Hutson noted the importance of the tip-off that led to Massey’s capture, though she refrained from disclosing specific details of the call she received.
Meanwhile, the owner of the property where Massey was found expressed shock, claiming the house was an Airbnb rental and she was unaware of Massey’s presence. This incident raises questions about the use of rental properties by fugitives seeking refuge.
As Massey is processed at the Orleans Justice Center and prepared for transfer to the Louisiana State Penitentiary at Angola, the focus remains on capturing Derrick Groves. The law enforcement community continues to urge Groves to surrender voluntarily.
With the public’s assistance, authorities remain hopeful that the final chapter of this jailbreak saga will soon come to a close. As Sheriff Hutson aptly put it, “We’ve got one more to go. Like everyone else, I call upon Derrick Groves to do the right thing and turn himself in.”
