Caldwell escapee found

By Joni Taylor
Gabriel Slaaen, 34, who escaped from Caldwell Correctional Center in Clarks on Sunday, May 3, around 4:30 p.m. was captured on Monday, May 4 and taken to the Caldwell Parish Sheriff’s Department around noon.  
Terrebonne Parish Sheriff’s office called CPSO to report that Slaaen called their area from a local Caldwell number. Slaaen asked local Grayson resident Maurice Mercer if he could use his phone.  Mr. Mercer said Slaaen rode up on a bicycle and told him he was a veteran.  Franklin Parish Sheriff’s Department brought canines to the area and together with local law enforcement captured the escapee approximately 50 feet off the road without incident.   
Sheriff Steve May said they tracked him last night with help from LaSalle Parish’ Canine Unit after he stole a four wheeler off Price Road in Clarks.  He was then tracked to Old Bethel Road, to McKnight Road and later to Hwy 506 in Kelly where he wrecked the four wheeler and continued on foot.  
Slaaen worked in the kitchen at the Caldwell Correctional Center in Clarks.  He was serving time for burglary charges from an arrest in Terrebonne Parish.  Local and area law enforcement agencies worked together to capture the escapee.  The Caldwell Parish Sheriff’s Department, Tensas Basin Levee Police Department, Columbia Police Department, Grayson Police Department, Franklin Parish Sheriff’s Office, Ouachita Parish Sheriff’s Office and LaSalle Parish Sheriff’s Department all worked together setting up a perimeter to keep the escapee from getting out of the area. Canine units from LaSalle and Franklin Parish Sheriff’s Departments as well as CPSO’s Canine Unit were used in the apprehension of the escapee.

For more Caldwell Parish news, go to www.caldwellwatchman.com.