Arkansas inmate overpowers jailer, escapes twice within hours

LITTLE ROCK (KATV) — An inmate at a southeast Arkansas jail remains at-large after overpowering a jailer and stealing her car — just mere hours after he escaped the same facility with another inmate.

The McGehee Police Department said Marceese Watkins and Dwight Overbea escaped the McGehee City Jail Friday night around 10:20 p.m.

Shortly after their escape Friday, police said 31-year-old Watkins was arrested at a home in McGehee and returned to the jail, where he escaped for a second time Saturday morning.

Watkins managed to overpower a jailer and take her keys, exit the facility, and steal her car,” police said in a news release.

He had been let out of his holding cell to use the bathroom, the Desha County Sheriff’s Office said.

The sheriff’s office said the stolen car was found abandoned a short time later.

While searching for Watkins, authorities located 30-year-old Overbea, who was hiding at a home in McGehee, police said. Authorities said he was transported directly to the Ouachita Correctional Facility in Malvern.

Watkins is described as black man. He is 5 feet and 5 inches tall and weighs 165 pounds.

Anyone with information regarding his whereabouts is asked to contact the McGehee Police Department at 870-222-3636. Callers can remain anonymous.