FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla.- An escaped murder suspect was arrested Wednesday night at a Days Inn in West Palm Beach by Broward Sheriff’s Office detectives.
Dayonte Resiles, 21, escaped from a Broward County courthouse last week. He was awaiting a hearing when he eluded two unarmed bailiffs. He was able to take off his jumpsuit, handcuffs and shackles as he fled. Surveillance video showed him running out of the courthouse in a white T-shirt and black shorts.
Resiles is charges in the 2014 death of Jill Halliburton Su, who was found in a bathtub at her Davie home.
Detectives captured Resiles alone in room 149 just before 11 p.m. after receiving a tip that led them to the 45th Street motel.
Sheriff Scott Israel said in a news conference Thursday morning, “He came out of the room. He surrendered without incident.”
“We had a man who was on trial for murder,” said Israel. “The state attorney is seeking the death penalty. It doesn’t get more serious than that, and for him to be back in custody is a sense of relief.”
So far seven people have been arrested in connection with the escape. Inmate Walter Hart is accused of helping Resiles get out of his shackles before his escape.
Resiles’ cousin, Francine Mesadieu, 31, of Fort Lauderdale, and his friend, Paige Jackson, 18, also of Fort Lauderdale, were arrested Wednesday. They are both accused of supplying Resiles with clothing to conceal his identity and spoke with him multiple times before his escape. Detectives believe Jackson set up three-way calls between the three of them to help Resiles plan his escape.
Other arrests include: LaQuay Stern, 18, of Palm Beach; Winston Russell Jr., 22, of Sunrise; and twins Kreton Barnes and TreVon Barnes, 17, of West Palm Beach.
The Broward Sheriff’s Office received multiple fake tips throughout the investigation. A $50,000 reward was being offered for information leading to Resiles’ arrest.
Resiles was returned to the main county jail early Thursday morning.
