Published Tuesday, December 01, 2009 6:05 AM Updated Tuesday, December 01, 2009 10:18 PM

CS police: Escapee not sighted here

By MAGGIE KIELY
maggie.kiely@theeagle.com

Authorities said they have confirmed that a possible sighting in College Station of an escaped inmate was not Arcade Joseph Comeaux Jr.

Comeaux escaped Monday and was serving a life sentence for aggravated sexual assault of a child in Brazos County.

College Station police said they received reports from a resident who thought they saw Comeaux at Taco Cabana Tuesday morning, but after further investigation, they discovered it was not him.

As a result of the sighting, College Hills Elementary School was placed on lock down, officials said.

All schools in Bryan and College Station remained on alert and staying in touch with local police, officials said.

Texas A&M University sent students and staff a message through their emergency notification system that there was a "prison escapee suspected in CS area, exercise caution, monitor local media, report sightings to local police."

Bill Turner, Brazos County district attorney, said Comeaux was accused of two aggravated assault cases in Brazos County in June 1997, and was convicted of the first charge and sentenced to 99 years in prison in June 1998. In both cases, the children were less than 14 years old, he said.

Comeaux's victims had been notified of his escape, Turner said.

"We asked police to keep a close eye on the residences," he said. "We're taking every precaution necessary."

Turner said authorities will continue to keep a close eye on the victims until Comeaux is located.

The guards were transferring Comeaux from a prison unit in the Huntsville area to one in Beaumont when he pulled out a gun and told the guards to stop the vehicle, said Michelle Lyons, a spokeswoman for the Texas Department of Criminal Justice.

The guards were held hostage temporarily, she said. Before Comeaux fled on foot, he took one of the officer's grey uniform and the officers' weapons: 12-gauge shotgun and two semiautomatic pistols with him.

Comeaux is described as a black male, about 6 feet tall and 200 pounds.

Anyone who believes they have seen Comeaux should call 911 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-832-8477.

---

Notice about comments: Theeagle.com is pleased to offer readers the ability to comment on stories. We expect our readers to engage in lively, yet civil discourse. Theeagle.com cannot promise that readers will not occasionally find offensive or inaccurate comments posted in the comments area. Responsibility for the statements posted lies with the person submitting the comment, not theeagle.com. If you find a comment that is objectionable, please click "report abuse" and we will review it for possible removal. Please be reminded, however, that in accordance with our Terms of Use and federal law, we are under no obligation to remove any third party comments posted on our website. Full terms and conditions can be read here. The Eagle is proud to offer our users enhanced commenting features. You can now build user-to-user connections, follow friend's recent posts, add an avatar that fits your personality, and more. If you have posted here before you’ll need to sign up again and if you’ve never posted start now by signing up!.