Two escaped La. inmates captured at Houston hotel

HOUSTON

Robert Lee Chatman III and Andre Gilbert were taken into custody, along with Chatman's girlfriend, Amanda Champagne, who is accused of picking up the inmates after their escape, according to the St. Martin Parish Sheriff's Office. They say the three were arrested without incident.

Chatman, 25, and Gilbert, 31, were reported missing from the Beaux Bridge substation during a routine head count around 1:30am Thursday.

"Both male individuals were able to break through the door and they scaled the perimeter fence with the use of a blanket," U.S. Deputy Marshal Cameron Welch said.

Authorities alerted news organizations that the two were considered armed and dangerous.

Both Chatman and Gilbert will face additional charges of simple escape, the Sheriff's Office says, and Champagne will face a charge of aiding and assisting in an escape.

The Sheriff's Office says Chatman was serving a 7-year sentence for simple burglary and had been incarcerated at the Breaux Bridge since March. Gilbert was serving a 5-year sentence, also for simple burglary, and had been incarcerated at the substation since last month.

All three are now awaiting extradition to Louisiana.

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