A wheelchair-bound Texas prisoner pretending to suffer from paralysis is being sought, after he took two correctional officers hostage at gunpoint and escaped, the U.S. Marshals Service announced.
As a result, the U.S. Marshals added Arcade Joseph Comeaux Jr. to their 15 Most Wanted list of fugitives. Comeaux, 49, was serving three life sentences when he escaped custody while being transported from Huntsville to Stiles in Texas.
During the escape, Comeaux allegedly produced a weapon and fired on the two officers, took them hostage and forced them to drive to Baytown, Texas. Once there, he restrained them in the back of the van, took their firearms and one of their uniforms.
Authorities had mistakenly believed he was paralyzed following a stroke. He had been wheelchair bound, and fled on foot following his escape.
"Comeaux has demonstrated a long history of incredibly violent behavior and complete disregard for the law," said John F. Clark, director of the U.S. Marshals Service. "There is no question he will resort to his violent ways again so his arrest is a top priority for the Marshals."
Comeaux was in prison after being convicted of aggravated sexual assault of a child and aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. According to Texas authorities, the weapons conviction stemmed from a 1999 incident where he stabbed his wife 17 times while she was visiting him in prison.
He now faces additional charges of kidnapping and one charge of escape out of Montgomery County, Texas. He is also wanted on a warrant for unlawful flight to avoid prosecution.
