Prison escapees
… recaptured prisoner was using public transportation
The police have, on Thursday, arrested one person in Linden in connection with providing sanctuary for one of the escapees of the Camp Street Prison.
However, while this is a breakthrough in efforts to recapture all the fugitives who
are on the loose, it has emerged that recaptured prisoner Desmond James was using public transportation before his re-arrest.
During a media briefing at the Public Security Ministry on Friday, Police Commissioner Seelall Persaud revealed that James, now back in lawful custody, has told the police details about his escape.
Debunking reports that James had been assisted by a female to escape, the Police Commissioner said: “We have a story from James. Another escapee would have given him money, which he used to take public transportation to go to that location.”
James was re-captured on Friday, July 14 by ranks of the “D” Division at Canal #1 West Bank Demerara. Based on information received, the murder accused was
found hiding in a shack.
“D” Division Commander Leslie James had said the captured fugitive, who was armed with a knife and sporting some clothing, had “indicated that he was heading to Essequibo.”
According to a neighbour, the man was seen camping out at the location– said to be located on Government Reserve in Cameron Dam — since the previous day. The police were contacted, and during a sweep of the area, the 24-year-old escapee was arrested.
Manhunt
Expressing confidence in the police manhunt for the fugitives, Persaud related that the public has thus far been helpful, and that every reported sighting has been evaluated by the police on its own merit.
He and Public Security Minister Khemraj Ramjattan have appealed for anyone with information to relay same to the police.
“The manhunt is an intelligence-led operation,” Persaud said. “Yesterday we had some information which led us to Linden. A person was arrested who was not one of the escapees. And then we had a confrontation with Stafrie Alexander at Port Mourant. Other activities are still on-going,” the commissioner has said.
Commissioner Persaud was unable to confirm that Alexander was wounded in the encounter with police at Port Mourant, but he noted that police reported discharging rounds and seeing blood afterwards. “He’s alone!” the top cop emphasized. “They’re all alone, meaning they are separate from each other.”
Just days after James’s capture, murder accused Cornelius Thomas was on Monday recaptured while hiding out in “C” Field Sophia, Greater Georgetown.
His arrest was initiated by information relayed to members of the Guyana Police Force, who swooped down on an area in the community and effected the arrest.
Now that two of the six wanted men have been recaptured, the hunt continues for the alleged mastermind of the prison breakout: Mark Royden Durant, called “Royden Williams” and “Smallie”, along with ex-cop Uree Varswyck, Stafrei Hopkinson Alexander, and Cobena Stephens.
