MEAWW.COM / NEWS / CRIME & JUSTICE

Jerry Raynes: Mississippi jailbreak escapee caught in Texas has a history of prison escapes

The search for the other two escapees Casey Grayson and Corey Harrison is ongoing, according to authorities

HOUSTON, TEXAS: One of the four Mississippi jail escapees has been caught in Houston, Texas, on Thursday, authorities said. Jerry Raynes, who has a history of prison escapes, stole a Hinds County maintenance vehicle during Sunday's escape and fled to Houston before abandoning the vehicle in Spring Valley.

On Wednesday, April 26, Dylan Arrington, one of the four escapees was killed in a gunfight inside a home with State police on Conway Road in Leake County. Arrington was suspected of killing a pastor shortly after making his escape and stealing his car. 

READ MORE

Mississippi jailbreak: 4 inmates escape from 'understaffed' Detention Center, one killed in shootout

Scott Peterson: Convicted murderer smiles in prison video call with family amid conviction appeal

'Escapee Jerry Raynes is in custody in Spring Valley'

The four Dylan Arrington, 22, Jerry Raynes, 51, Casey Grayson, 24, and Corey Harrison, 22  had all broken out of the guarded cell and made their way to the roof of the understaffed Raymond Detention Center on Sunday night. During a routine headcount, the crew reportedly found them missing and it was discovered there had been a jailbreak.

"Escapee Jerry Raynes is in custody in Spring Valley, TX. USMFTF, Harris County Sheriff’s Office, and Spring Valley PD assisted with the capture. Raynes will be held facing extradition back to MS, " Sheriff Tyree Jones said, adding "Investigation is still ongoing."

Police can not confirm if Raynes traveled to Texas alone

The US Marshals Service, Harris County Sheriff’s Office and Spring Valley Police Department assisted with Raynes' capture in the small town, more than 400 miles from where he fled the Hinds County jail, US Today reported. 

As per KTRK, Raynes was found at Memorial Hermann Greater Heights Hospital where authorities said he had been a patient for an unknown amount of time. He appeared in court on Thursday and waived his right to fight extradition. The proceeding lasted all but 25 seconds as per the station. Rayens reportedly escaped the same detention center in 2021.

Prior to Raynes's arrest, Jones cited a surveillance video footage where it showed Raynes in a service station in Spring Valley, Texas on Sunday soon after making an escape. The Hinds County maintenance he stole was also found abandoned in the same area. Police can not confirm if Raynes traveled to Texas alone.

Grayson and Harrison remain at large 

The search for the other two escapees Grayson and Harrison is ongoing, according to authorities, with Arlington dead and Raynes already in prison. Arlington, who was fatally shot during the gunfight, had earlier stolen a motorcycle, smashed it, and then shot and carjacked Anthony Watts, 61, on Monday in Jackson. Arlington also took Watts' red Dodge Ram. Watts was a pastor in Jackson at St Mary Missionary Baptist Church.

'I’m scared for my family'

Raynes was detained on suspicion of auto theft and business burglary before making his escape, according to the sheriff's office. Arrington had been charged with auto theft and possession of a firearm by a felon, whilst Grayson was being detained on suspicion of grand larceny and the sale of a controlled substance. Harrison was facing a charge of receiving stolen property.

With Grayson and Harrison remaining on the run Raymond residents are worried. “I’m scared for my family,” Scott Dudley, of Raymond, told WAPT. “I’ve got three grandchildren that are right here in town all day, every day. So, yeah, that bothers me."