Seven of the 13 juveniles who escaped last week from the New Opportunity Corps (NOC) at Onderneeming, Essequibo, have been recaptured, Divisional Commander Khali Pareshram has confirmed.
When contacted, Pareshram told Stabroek News that the juveniles were apprehended between last Friday and yesterday morning at four separate locations in Essequibo.
He said they are currently back at the juvenile detention facility and efforts are underway to apprehend the others who are still on the lam.
The 13 juveniles escaped from the NOC in two separate breakouts between last Thursday and last Friday morning.
Pareshram previously told this newspaper that the first escape occurred around 10 am last Thursday and resulted in 10 juveniles managing to flee. Stabroek News was told that the juveniles were performing chores in the yard of the complex under the supervision of the administrator and other staff members. They allegedly ran towards the western side of the compound, which is not completely fenced, and escaped into the backlands. The relevant authorities were immediately contacted and ranks from the division were deployed into the backlands in search of the escapees.
The second breakout occurred around 4.45 am on the following day.
Among those who escaped were teenagers who were convicted for the offences of simple larceny, wandering, burglary and possession of an unlicensed firearm.
Just two months ago, 11 juveniles escaped from the facility. They were recaptured shortly after.
