Theni Jail Break: Fifth Escapee Nabbed in Dramatic Auto-Rickshaw Stop
A differently abled prisoner who fled Theni Jail was caught in an autorickshaw. Five of the 16 escapees have now been apprehended.
The massive manhunt following the escape of 16 undertrial prisoners from Theni Jail has seen a new breakthrough. In a surprising turn of events, the police have apprehended the fifth fugitive, bringing them back into custody after a daring but short-lived attempt to vanish.
A Bold Escape, A Short Hiding Spot
The prison break, which occurred on Monday night, sent shockwaves across Tamil Nadu. Among those who fled was Lingaprasad, a differently abled undertrial facing several charges related to ganja smuggling. While some of his cohorts attempted to flee further afield, Lingaprasad’s strategy was far more localized.
Preliminary investigations reveal that Lingaprasad had been hiding just 200 metres away from the jail premises since his escape on Monday night, staying within striking distance of the very facility he had just fled.
The Autorickshaw Encounter
The fugitive's luck ran out when he attempted to secure transport. Lingaprasad managed to flag down an autorickshaw traveling from Kandamanur toward the Theni Government Medical College Hospital. Once inside the vehicle, he reportedly asked the driver for a mobile phone to make a call.
The driver, however, remained cautious, telling the passenger that he would provide the phone only after the vehicle had come to a complete stop.
A Chance Encounter with the Law
The situation reached a climax when an elderly passenger in the same autorickshaw requested to be dropped off near the pharmacy section of the Theni Government Medical College Hospital, located along the Varusanadu–Kandamanur road.
As the vehicle slowed down, police personnel patrolling from the opposite direction intercepted the autorickshaw for a routine search. Upon inspecting the passengers, the officers immediately recognized Lingaprasad as one of the 16 inmates who had broken out of the Theni Jail.
Current Status of the Manhunt
The police wasted no time in apprehending the prisoner, transporting him back to the jail in the very same autorickshaw he had hired for his getaway. Lingaprasad is currently being interrogated by authorities to determine if other escapees are nearby.
With this latest arrest, the tally of recaptured prisoners now stands at five. However, the tension remains high as special police teams continue their intensive search for the remaining 11 fugitives who are still at large.