Louisiana inmate is captured after escaping jail by throwing chemical substance at officer: Sheriff
A Louisiana inmate has been apprehended days after he allegedly escaped from jail by throwing a chemical substance at an officer, according to the St. Mary Parish Sheriff's Office.
Cecil Michael Stratton, 46, allegedly fled from the Berwick Police Department Jail on Wednesday night while jailers were "securing inmates during lockdown procedures," Berwick police said in a statement.
During a "brief struggle" between Stratton and authorities, a chemical substance was hurled into an officer's face, allowing for Stratton -- and another inmate who has also been recaptured -- to flee, police said.
After a multi-day search, on Friday night, police were alerted that Stratton had been seen inside a home in Morgan City, the sheriff's office said. Responding authorities found Stratton lying in a boat at a Morgan City business, the sheriff's office said.
Stratton was taken into custody without incident at 12:15 a.m. Saturday, officials said. He was arrested on charges of unauthorized entry of a critical infrastructure, disarming a police officer, battery on a police officer, aggravated battery and simple and aggravated escape, the sheriff's office said.
The other inmate who allegedly fled with Stratton, 22-year-old Brandon Lee Brunet, was apprehended early Thursday morning, authorities said.
Stratton, who is allegedly known to have "violent tendencies," had previously escaped from a prison in North Louisiana, police said.
Stratton's criminal record includes a slew of previous charges, including theft, illegal possession of a stolen property, marijuana possession, attempted first-degree murder and resisting an officer, according to ABC Baton Rouge affiliate WBRZ.
