Melvor Jeffrey, who was allegedly shot by the police and then escaped from lawful custody while under guard at the Georgetown Public Hospital (GPHC) on Wednesday, was yesterday recaptured by the lawmen after he was found hiding in a barrel at Agricola, East Bank Demerara.
After four days of searching, the police found the wanted 18-year-old, Jeffrey, of Kaneville and Agricola, East Bank Demerara, in a house at Agricola.
Jeffrey, a mason, was in custody following a police operation in Agricola, on July 11. According to Commander of ‘A’ Division, Marlon Chapman, the man was held in connection with discharging a loaded firearm at the police.
According to a police source, the teen was allegedly found with a sawn-off shotgun in his possession, during his arrest.
Jeffrey, who was shot several times allegedly by the police during the operation was taken to the GPHC where he remained a patient until he escaped around 2 am on July 19. Stabroek News understands that the youth escaped from the hospital after noticing the policeman guarding him was not at his post.
Apart from re-arresting Jeffrey, three others, including two females, have been taken into police custody, for harbouring the fugitive. According to the source the three are friends of the wanted teen.
According to the Commander of A Division, while the matter is still under investigation, Jeffrey is back at the GPHC, because of his injuries, and is under heavy guard.
Meanwhile, the relatives of Jeffrey who had pleaded for his safe return, saying that his condition was life threatening, when contacted by Stabroek News yesterday, said that they were informed that he was recaptured by the police but they have not yet gotten the chance to see him. However, she said that the family is very grateful that he was found.
