By JIM BUTLER
Those involved seem divided on what Daniel Burns, 39, liked the least about his 48 hours on the lam.
The heat?
The thirst?
The hunger?
The mosquitoes and other creatures, real or imagined?
The dark, magnifying all of the above?
Relentless hounds baying on his trail?
Whichever, the combination’s effect was evident as a harried and dehydrated Burns was apprehended and returned to jail.
He left a work release project in Tioga last Tuesday afternoon, evaded authorities until about midnight, and fled a residence in Melder, bolting into Kisatchie National Forest, when they came looking for him, evading capture until Thursday afternoon.
Once it was clear Burns had flown the coop, apparently with help from the outside, detectives had a good lead on where to look.
He had been arrested in May and a woman linked in that case was also arrested, and out of jail on bond.
So the search began at April Page’s residence on Kent Avenue. She wasn’t there, but Heather Page, 29, and Kevick Garrison, 32, were.
Both were questioned and eventually arrested.
From there Burns’ trail led to the Melder mobile home. As the law arrived, Burns departed.
April Page, 24, was there and arrested.
And the search began.
Burns, in jail for parole violation and other alleged offenses, was charged this time with criminal conspiracy, simple escape, possession etc. of CDS III and possession or introduction of contraband into a penal facility.
The other pending charges are from May – theft of identity, stolen firearm possession, firearm possession/sell with obliterated serial number and possession firearm by convicted felon. Total bond is set at $270,000.
Burns’ Rapides arrest record dates to 2018.
April Page’s May arrest on two counts of forgery and possession of CDS III was evidently linked to Burns’ charges then.
After the escape, April Page was charged with accessory after the fact, criminal conspiracy, possession etc. of CDS III and contraband possession/introduction. Bond was set at $25,000.
Her arrest record dates to 2018.
Heather Page, after her arrest on Kent Avenue, was booked with accessory after the fact, criminal conspiracy, possession etc. of CDS III, two counts, possession CDS I 2nd, possession paraphernalia, carrying firearm with drugs and contempt of court.
Her arrest record to 2018 includes 11 contempt of court charges. She posted $46,000 bond on July 27.
Garrison was charged with probation violation, possession etc. of CDS III, possession CDS I 1st 14, possession paraphernalia, possession firearm with drugs and two counts of contempt. Bond was set at $21,000.
His record shows 10 contempt of court charges since 2019.