Eunice man faces new charge after short-lived escape

A Eunice man, who police arrested in connection with an investigation into a string of home and vehicle burglaries the past two weeks, managed to escape custody after a visit to the hospital, Lt. Richard Daigle said.
Joshua Loera, 28, of the 1300 block of West Peach, was arrested Friday on a 2011 warrant for principle to criminal damaged to property, Daigle said.
Loera complained of a medical illness and vomited at the city jail, police said.
Loera was brought to Acadian Medical Center, however, on the way back to the Eunice Police Department office, he managed to get out shackles and handcuffs and escaped about 8:30 p.m. Friday, he said.
Loera, who escaped at East Laurel and C.C. Duson, was apprehended in the 300 block of Northeast Street, he said.
Loera faces an additional charge of simple escape.
Daigle said Loera’s arrest resulted from an investigation into home and vehicle burglaries occurring the past two weeks.
Eunice Police Chief Randy Fontenot said the burglary investigation is having an impact.
“This past weekend there was decline in reported burglaries,” he said. That indicates the investigation is leading in the right direction, he said.