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Police: Port Arthur Police caught TDCJ prisoner who took weapon from officer during attempted escape

Port Arthur Police Chief Tim Duriso said a Port Arthur Police officer disarmed the inmate upon apprehension.

PORT ARTHUR, Texas — A Texas Department of Criminal Justice prisoner was caught by Port Arthur Police after they took a weapon from a correctional officer and attempted to escape custody late Tuesday night. 

A prisoner at the Leblanc Unit was taken to the Southeast Texas Medical Center in Port Arthur around 7 p.m., according to a news release from the Texas Department of Criminal Justice. The reason why he was taken to the medical center is unclear.

Upon being released, the inmate took a weapon from a correctional officer and attempted to escape custody. This led to the hospital being placed on lock down, according to a statement from the Southeast Texas Medical Center 

The hospital's security team and Port Arthur Police officers responded and assisted. The prisoner never left medical center grounds, and the weapon was apprehended. 

“We had an officer on site when it occurred. He responded as did other units to the scene. A Port Arthur Police officer disarmed the suspect,” according to Port Arthur Police Chief Tim Duriso.

There were no injuries. The hospital is open and patient care operations continued uninterrupted, according to the statement.

From a Texas Department of Criminal Justice news release:

On July 26, 2022 at approximately 7:00 p.m. at the Leblanc Unit, an inmate was transported to the Southeast Texas Medical Center in Port Arthur, Texas.  Upon release from the hospital, the inmate attempted to escape from custody. Port Arthur Police Officers responded and assisted.  The incident is under investigation by TDCJ and the Office of Inspector General. 

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