Atlanta, Georgia — The final chapter in a months-long manhunt has come to a close after authorities confirmed the capture of Derrick Groves, the last of ten inmates who escaped from a New Orleans jail five months ago. Groves was apprehended in Atlanta on Tuesday morning following an extensive, multi-state search that involved cooperation among several law enforcement agencies.

According to officials, Groves had been on the run since late spring when he and nine other inmates managed to break out of the Orleans Parish jail under still-unclear circumstances. The escape triggered an immediate statewide alert and one of the largest coordinated manhunts Louisiana has seen in recent years. While the other nine fugitives were captured within weeks of their escape, Groves had managed to elude authorities for months.

Investigators say Groves’ capture came after a series of tips led authorities to a small apartment complex on the outskirts of Atlanta. Acting on intelligence shared between the FBI and local law enforcement, officers conducted a predawn raid that ended without incident. Groves reportedly surrendered peacefully after being surrounded by heavily armed officers.

Officials have not disclosed how Groves managed to survive while on the run for so long, but sources close to the investigation suggest he may have received help from acquaintances in multiple states. Surveillance footage and witness statements reportedly placed him in Alabama, Mississippi, and Georgia at various points during the five-month pursuit.

Authorities in New Orleans expressed relief at the news of the capture, stating that the manhunt had consumed considerable resources and attention. “This was a case that demanded cooperation at every level,” one official said. “With Groves now back in custody, we can finally begin to assess how this escape happened and ensure it never happens again.”

The Orleans Parish jail had already been under scrutiny for its security measures prior to the escape. Investigations are now underway to determine whether negligence or internal assistance contributed to the inmates’ breakout. Preliminary findings suggest that a security lapse and possible manipulation of electronic locks may have played a role.

In Atlanta, residents in the area where Groves was found said they were unaware that a fugitive had been living among them. “It’s unsettling,” one neighbor told local media. “We had no idea someone from a high-profile escape was right here.” Authorities have reassured the public that there was no immediate threat during the operation and that no injuries occurred.

Groves is expected to be extradited back to Louisiana within the coming days, where he will face additional charges related to the escape. His recapture marks the end of a tense and exhaustive search that stretched across multiple state lines and involved dozens of agencies.

Officials have pledged to conduct a full review of jail security protocols, citing the incident as a wake-up call for correctional systems across the region. For now, with Derrick Groves back behind bars, authorities and residents alike are breathing a collective sigh of relief.