Just over a week after four high profile prisoners escaped from the Mazaruni penitentiary, Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni), another four prisoners were successful in their escape bid, this time at Lethem, Region Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo).
Those who escaped from lawful custody are Jack King Paul, 36, of Kwatamang Village North Rupununi; Clarence Rodney, 20, of Lethem Central Rupununi; Yon Rogg Hernandez also called “John Roberts”, a Venezuelan national, 26, of Tabatinga, Lethem, and Xarlos Edwards Thomas, an 18-year-old Venezuelan also of Tabatinga, Lethem.
Escapee: Clarence Rodney
The men escaped the Lethem Police Station lock-ups on Friday between 00:05h and 07:00h.
Based on reports received, the men reportedly used a metal rod measuring one foot in length to dig a hole in the ground measuring three feet in width, length and depth. The surface of the hole has a two-inch layer of concrete with red sand beneath.
On the said date at about 07:00h, one prisoner of Tabatinga, Lethem, Central Rupanuni, who is in custody for assault, alerted the Police that the men were missing from the lock-ups. The Police stated that all efforts are being made to locate and recapture the prisoners.
On February 15, 25-year-old Imran Ramsaywack of Adelphi Village, East Coast Berbice (ECB); 44-year-old Kenrick Lyte whose last known address was Grant Good Intent, Lower Pomeroon River; 22-year-old Samuel Gouveia of Goedverwagting, East Coast Demerara (ECD), and 22-year-old Rayon Jones of Timehri, East Bank Demerara (EBD) escaped from the high-security Mazaruni Prison.
Escapee: Yon Rogg Hernandez, also called “John Roberts”
Ramsaywack and Lyte were on death row while the other two were serving time for manslaughter.
It was reported that on the day in question at about 07:15h during the unlocking of the Brick Prison – Solitary Division – it was observed that the padlock to the entrance gate was tampered with, and further checks revealed that two bars within the cell were cut.
Prison authorities have since said that the Emergency Action Plan as it relates to the escape of inmates was immediately activated and a joint patrol was established at the outer perimeter of the prison and a search has been launched by the Joint Services to recapture the four escapees.
To date, none of the escapees has been recaptured but Ralph Jones, the father of one of the prison escapees, was charged for helping the fugitives after they turned up at his home in Bartica.
