False Alarm: Man Spotted Near A&M Not Prison Escapee

Multiple reports of a prison escapee being spotted near Texas A&M University Tuesday prompted school lockdowns and widespread alerts across much of Bryan-College Station.

A&M issued a a Code Maroon Alert just after 11 a.m. after multiple reports of sightings of Arcade Joseph Comeaux Jr., a convicted sex offender who is on the run after pulling a gun on two guards during a prison transfer Monday.

Officials in College Station issued the Code Maroon alert to alert students, faculty and residents in the area that Comeaux is believed to be in the area and that they should exercise extreme caution.

Police tracked down the person identified by witnesses as Comeaux and learned he was not the wanted prison escapee, KBTX-TV in College Station eported.

Department of Corrections spokeswoman Michelle Lyons said Comeaux was still at large Tuesday.

Lyons, in an e-mail to The Associated Press, said authorities were "still searching" for the 49-year-old inmate, who held two guards hostage Monday before fleeing in one's uniform.

The guards were transferring Comeaux from a prison in Huntsville to one in Beaumont when he pulled out a gun.  Both guards were released unharmed after being forced to drive to the Baytown area.

Comeaux was serving a life term after being convicted in 1998 of aggravated sexual assault out of Brazos County.
 

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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