Escapee in canoe sent back up river

AMITE, La. (AP) — A Tangipahoa Parish Jail inmate who escaped from a work detail was captured as he tried to make his getaway in a canoe on the Tangipahoa River.

Sheriff Daniel Edwards tells The Advocate (http://bit.ly/PUPjKt ) inmate John Johnson “was still paddling,” when deputies in a boat caught up with him Friday.

Earlier in the day, authorities arrested four other people booked them on counts of principal to simple escape.

Edwards said at least some of the four are suspected of taking Jones to the river Thursday and dropping him off there with a canoe and supplies.

The 37-year-old Johnson was unarmed and did not resist arrest when captured.

He had been serving a 10-year prison term since his conviction in July on a charge of fourth-offense driving while intoxicated.

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Information from: The Advocate, http://theadvocate.com

Copyright 2012 The Associated Press.