Residents in New Iberia may be paying a little more attention to who's in their neighborhood.
A day after fugitive Paul Collins Jr. escaped from the roof of a St. Martin parish jail. Iberia Parish deputies got a tip he might be in their parish but he still hasn't been found.
New Iberia residents aren't taking any chances after hearing rumors of the possible return of 36-year-old fugitive Paul Collins Jr.
"Oh, my doors are always locked."
Brittany Colbert says deputies asked her to leave her apartment this morning while they searched the area.
They were looking for any clues that could help them take Collins off the streets... again.
"Did you see anything? The officers were asking us," Colbert continued, "did you hear anything?"
Deputies say they evacuated apartment buildings near Frederick and St. Jude. They were acting on a tip saying Collins could be there in that neighborhood.
Collins did have family in the area at one time.
Residents say they are now keeping a more watchful eye on their community.
"I locked up everything and watched out for other neighbors," Jessie Turner said.
Turner was just yards away when deputies combed through a neighboring apartment complex.
After looking for more than an hour, deputies say Collins was not found; leaving the neighborhood on edge.
"It's terrifying for everybody." Turner says, "the whole neighborhood (is worried)."
On edge until Collins is back behind bars.

Permalink | Play Video| Comments