Double-murder accused, Kapildeo Gangadin, who escaped from the Lusignan Prison yesterday morning after “tampering” with the quarantine section of the facility was recaptured today, the prison service said.
In a press statement issued yesterday, the Guyana Prison Service (GPS) said that Gangadin was discovered missing sometime around 4.05 am during a routine check.
Gangadin, who was admitted to prison last week was being housed in the quarantine section of the Lusignan Prison.
The GPS said initial investigations revealed that Gangadin had “tampered” with the housing unit. Gangadin scaled the fence and escaped into the nearby dumpsite, the statement added.
“Upon gaining entry from the housing unit, he (Gangadin) ventured to the back of the prison where he used a cloth-pole to scale the fence,” the GPS explained.
“He proceeded into the farms where he scaled the gate and made good his escape into the dumpsite,” the statement added.
According to the statement, a joint services patrol was immediately established at the outer perimeter of the prison and a search is underway for Gangadin.
The GPS is warning persons who might be offering support to Gangadin that aiding and abetting a prisoner is a criminal offence.
Just last Wednesday, Gangadin, a 24-year-old resident of Annandale, ECD was remanded to prison after he was charged with the murders of businessman, Ganesh Persaud and Mukesh Mangra.
He was remanded to prison until January 17, 2022.
Persaud was robbed of a gold chain and stabbed in his family’s electronic store at Strathspey, ECD on October 15.
Hours after the incident, police arrested Gangadin who they said admitted to the crime. He was found in possession of Persaud’s gold chain.
While in custody for Persaud’s murder, police received information that Gangadin was also wanted in connection with the 2020 murder of Mangra.
As such, Gangadin was questioned and during a video interview he admitted his involvement in Mangra’s murder.
Gangadin reportedly told investigators that he only lashed Mangra with a cutlass. After the crime, Gangadin told the police he fled to neighbouring Suriname.
The body of Mangra called ‘Paul’, 27, of Coldingen Squatting Area, ECD was discovered on the evening of January 18, 2020 with multiple stab wounds and lacerations about his body.
Family members had told Stabroek News that they believed that Mangra was attacked and killed during a robbery.
There have been numerous episodes, including in recent months, where inmates have either escaped or attempted to escape from the Lusignan Prison.
The issue continues to raise questions about security at the facility.
Three modern facilities are currently being constructed at the Lusignan Prison. The $1.2B project is expected to be completed by February, 2022.
