Escaped inmates are in custody

Both Honduran nationals who escaped early Sunday morning have been captured and are in custody, according to the Evangeline Parish Sheriff Department.
In a press release, Sheriff Eddie Soileau said, “The inmates who escaped from the GEO facility in Pine Prairie earlier this morning have reportedly been captured.”
The release continued, “Kelman Bejarano-Batiz and Wilmer Alexander Ramirez-Espana escaped Sunday morning from the local GEO facility in Pine Prairie. Both escapees were captured in Oakdale at a convenience store.”
“Batiz and Ramirez-Espana will be brought back to the GEO Facility, where they will face charges of simple escape and possibly other charges.”
“Batiz’ original charge was for a DUI conviction in April. Ramirea-Espana was for a minor traffic violation which was picked up by Ascension Parish Sheriff’s Office.”
“The investigation is still ongoing.”
The Evangeline Parish Sheriff’s Office would like to thank the following departments for their assistance: Louisiana State Police, Angola Prison Chase Team (Louisiana State Prison), Allen Parish Sheriff’s Office, Oakdale Police Department, Eunice Police Department, Pine Prairie Police Department, and the employees and staff of the Pine Prairie Correctional Center.