By Paige Gurgainers

Early Tuesday morning, April 16, a man formerly in custody at the Bienville Parish Jail in Arcadia escaped on foot after jumping out of a Bienville Parish transport van following a court hearing where the judge revoked his bond on a previous charge.

The escapee, Jerry Gray, is described as a 6’3″ black male weighing approximately 220 pounds. He ran west on foot into a wooded area north of Corley Street and South of the railroad tracks in Arcadia. He was wearing a black hoodie with blue jeans and was handcuffed at the time of this escape. 

According to Captain John M. Crawford with the Bienville Parish Sheriff’s Office, the agency set up a perimeter in that area and began the search. Multiple agencies came in to assist including, David Wade with tracking dogs, Desoto Parish Sheriff’s Office with a helicopter, U.S. Marshall’s Fugitive Recovery Division. The Webster Parish Sheriff’s Office, North Bienville Fire Department and Fire District 4&5 provided drones. 

“We set up a perimeter, but he is now outside of that perimeter,” said Crawford. “We are following leads and will continue to search on foot and with the drones.”

BPSO asks that anyone with information regarding Gray and his whereabouts, please contact them at 318-263-2215.