Escaped Louisiana Inmate Recaptured

NEW ORLEANS --

An inmate at Orleans Parish Prison walked off of his work detail Monday morning before being caught a short time later, authorities said.

Sheriff Marlin Gusman said the community service inmate, Shawn Francois, was in custody for public drunkenness, disturbing the peace and criminal damage to property.

He was working on a kitchen detail when he walked away and attempted to visit his ailing mother, Gusman said in a statement.

Xavier University police caught him a short time later. Sgt. Selos Fortin was on bike patrol when he spotted Francois because he was still wearing the orange prison jumpsuit.

"As I got closer, I saw an armband for ID purposes," Fortin said.

Fortin said he tackled Francois to the ground.

"Just got him on the ground in front of building, with the assistance of the other officer, (and) then we alerted the sheriff's office," Fortin said. "He gave a little resistance, but I had help and he wasn't able to escape from us."

Copyright 2009 by WDSU.com. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.