By Micheal Chukwuebuka, Reporting
THE murder suspect who escaped custody by pepper-spraying his transporting deputy and stealing her vehicle, was found in a New Orleans hotel on Tuesday.
Stonix News reported that Leon Ruffin, 51, from Louisiana, had been in custody on a second-degree murder charge when he brazenly escaped custody Sunday.
Jefferson Parish Sheriff Joe Lopinto announced during a news conference that, two days later, he was tracked down to a hotel in New Orleans East and taken into custody around 2:30 p.m. Tuesday by Jefferson Parish deputies, the New Orleans Police Department and the U.S. Marshal Service.
He was found alone in the hotel room and search warrants were being conducted inside. It’s not clear which hotel he was in.
“I’m certain that we will have additional arrests related to this.
“He’s back in JPS custody and will stay here for a long time,” Lopinto said.
The sheriff said it is believed Ruffin was in the hotel room for most of the time he was on the lam.
“Most of the time, I think he was there. So pretty much locked up in a hotel room instead of a jail cell. I don’t think he had a really good, good time over the last two days,” Lopinto said.
He has since been charged with motor vehicle theft, aggravated escape, battery of an officer with intent to injure and being a fugitive, online booking records show.
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