Two of the three murder accused who fled the Lusignan Prison were recaptured last night at Zeelugt, East Bank Essequibo while the hunt continues for a third.
Police sources say that Alex Mathias of Good Hope Dock Yard, Essequibo and Arnold Bruce Kennedy of Lot 847 Zeeburg Housing Scheme, West Coast Demerara (WCD) had entered a vehicle last night and were apparently recognised. The police later intercepted the vehicle and apprehended them. Mark Rufino of Goed Intent Village, West Bank Demerara remains on the loose. (Editor’s note: An earlier version of this story had said that Rufino had been recaptured.)
Police spokesman, Assistant Commissioner Royston Andries-Junor yesterday confirmed that an investigation has been launched into the incident which occurred between 5.30 pm Tuesday and 6am yesterday.
According to the police, investigations revealed that the prisoners escaped by scaling the south eastern fence of the facility.
The police in a statement said that around 5 pm Tuesday, the prisoners were locked in.
Hours after, Joint Services ranks on the ground received information that the prisoners had escaped.
“An alarm was raised and the ranks immediately conducted checks around the prisons and its nearby environs but did not locate anyone,” the police said.
A head count was conducted around 6am yesterday during which it was discovered that the three prisoners were missing.
In recent months, there has been an increasing number of incidents at the Lusignan Prison during which inmates have either escaped or attempted to do so.
Just over one month ago, two inmates, Earl Graham, 51, and Winston Herbert, 21 were fatally shot by guards and five others were wounded after what authorities have described as a riot and attempted breakout at the Lusignan Prison.
The shooting had capped off hours of protests by inmates over a number of issues, including overcrowding at the facility and the risk of exposure to COVID-19, which were raised earlier in the day when the Home Affairs and Health ministers visited.
Overcrowding at the facility has been a longstanding concern.
Just last Friday, remanded prisoner Aszim Shivgobin was attacked and injured at the Lusignan penitentiary as prisoners attempted to kill two fellow inmates.
Shivgobin, who is one of the three suspects accused in the murder of Canadian citizen Nicholas Ramkissoon Jaipaul has since been discharged from hospital.
Pomona
Mathias is accused of fatally stabbing 23-year-old Kevin Bettencourt at Pomona, Essequibo Coast on December 31st, 2018.
The police had said that investigations revealed that Bettencourt went to the residence where Mathias was allegedly visiting a relative, asking for someone.
Mathias, who was reportedly intoxicated, requested that Bettencourt leave the premises. As a result, the duo ended up in a confrontation during which Mathias reportedly armed himself with a knife and stabbed Bettencourt. After the incident, Mathias fled the scene but was arrested shortly after by police.
Kennedy was among three suspects who were charged with the chopping to death of Alvin Gajraj called `Chockoloo’ on July 18, 2019 at Zeelugt, East Bank Essequibo (EBE).
Gajraj’s 17-year-old brother, Devendra ‘Sameer’ Seenarine, was also brutally assaulted in the attack.
Gajraj and Seenarine’s sister, Meera, had told Stabroek News that her two brothers were imbibing at her residence until sometime around 10 pm when Seenarine decided he wanted to go home.
Gajraj left with him and while the two men were on a bicycle exiting the village, three men, who Meera said worked with the brothers on a fishing boat, attacked them. She said that the men were armed with a crowbar, a large piece of wood and a cutlass.
Right before they were attacked, Seenarine attempted to run away but ended up slipping and falling into a drain, where he was attacked by one of the men, who even tried to drown him.
While Seenarine was being attacked, Gajraj managed to run towards the sea wall but was followed by two of the men. He was then beaten and chopped to death.
Moneychanger
Meanwhile, Rufino and four others were remanded to prison for allegedly murdering Better Hope moneychanger Aaron Latchman and his daughter, Arian Latchman, in the course or furtherance of a robbery.
The Latchmans were killed by armed bandits at their 58 Robert Street, Better Hope North home on July 4th, 2019.
According to the police, Aaron was confronted by the bandits as he exited his car and after he allegedly put up a fight, he was shot. Arian was shot and killed in the upper flat of the home. The armed bandits then took a bag containing money and escaped in a waiting car.
Anyone who may notice any suspicious individuals or activities connected to the escapees is asked to contact the nearest police station or 225-6411.
