Accused murderer arrested after leaving burning home near P.A.
Police had been looking for Braidy Vermette since March 30
There was a dramatic conclusion Thursday to the hunt for an escaped prisoner charged with murder — he was re-arrested after leaving a burning house in the Prince Albert area.
Braidy Vermette, 28, is now in custody again after RCMP located him Wednesday afternoon in the rural municipality of Buckland.
Since the middle of March, Vermette had been held in the Prince Albert Correctional Centre on first-degree murder charges in the death of Troy Napope.
Vermette allegedly escaped from jail guards in Prince Albert on March 30.
On that day, he was being transported to hospital for a cut on his elbow.
In the hospital parking lot, two assailants wearing masks attacked the guards with bear spray, and pulled out a gun, police said. Vermette allegedly escaped with the men.
Inmates helped in escape
Drew Wilby with the Ministry of Justice confirmed Vermette had help escaping from some of his fellow inmates.
"We know it was pre-meditated both from inside the facility being the inmates on the unit with Mr. Vermette, as well as outside. It's a question of how long that goes back," Wilby said.
"We continue to review the tapes and look at that intelligence that we have."
Wilby said the decision not to use a police escort will be part of the investigation.
"Additionally, what we've done is met with the hospital to beef up our security protocols with them for medical escorts."
Woman also arrested after leaving burning house
Another person at the house was arrested at the same time as Vermette on Thursday morning for breach of court conditions.
A Canada-wide warrant had been issued for Vermette's arrest. Police said he was considered armed and dangerous.
There was no immediate word on what additional charges he faces in connection with the alleged escape.
Police would not provide any information about how the house fire got started.
The home was destroyed and was still smouldering at around 11 a.m. Fire investigators are at the scene.