Authorities have recaptured three more inmates who escaped from the Orleans Justice Center jail in New Orleans earlier this month. The arrests occurred on Monday, marking a significant development in the ongoing manhunt for the remaining fugitives.

Lenton VanBuren Jr. was apprehended in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, while Leo Tate and Jermaine Donald were captured in Walker County, Texas. Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill confirmed the arrests, stating that VanBuren was found sitting on a bench near a department store. He was previously incarcerated for firearms and parole violation charges.

The capture of these three inmates leaves two still at large: Derrick Groves and Antoine Massey. Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry praised the efforts of law enforcement in a post on X, stating, "Excellent work. Antoine and Derrick -- you are NEXT!" A $20,000 reward is still being offered for information leading to the capture of the remaining fugitives.

The recent arrests represent the first major breakthroughs in the multistate manhunt in nearly a week. Prior to this, Corey Boyd was recaptured last Tuesday, bringing the total number of escapees returned to custody to five. Since the escape, authorities have arrested 13 individuals accused of aiding the inmates, charging them as accessories after the fact.

The arrests of Tate and Donald followed a high-speed chase, with law enforcement officials noting that they were found more than 300 miles from New Orleans. Donald was facing charges of second-degree murder, while Tate was charged with burglary and firearms offenses.

Deputy U.S. Marshal Brian Fair warned that the two remaining escapees are considered "extremely dangerous" and could be anywhere. "Both of them and others on the run have had a support network in the New Orleans area, but they could be outside of the New Orleans area," Fair said. "It’s going to take a lot more work to figure out where they are exactly."

The escape occurred shortly after midnight on May 16, when ten inmates allegedly used electric hair trimmers to cut through the cell walls. Authorities continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding the escape and the involvement of those who assisted the inmates.