Two inmates are now back in custody after they escap-ed while being transported to the Lusignan Prison.
The inmates has been identified as Keanon Harry, 40, and Kevin Velladares, 26, a shoemaker of Wismar Housing Scheme, Linden.
Up to yesterday afternoon, the Guyana Prison Service had not officially released details on their escape, which occurred sometime between 16:00 hrs and 16:10 hrs on Thursday in the vicinity of Sparendaam.
On Thursday afternoon, Stabroek News had asked the Guyana Prison Service Public Relations Officer (PRO) Rajiv Bisnauth about a possible escape via the Joint Services WhatsApp group.
In response, he issued a notice urging media houses to stop spreading “false information”. “Please note there is no prison escape at any of the locations,” Bisnauth said.
However, yesterday morning, after further enquiries was made by members of the media, Director of the Guyana Police Force’s Corporate Communications Unit Mark Ramotar confirmed the escape after issuing a wanted bulletin for Harry.
Upon receiving confirmation, Stabroek News asked Bisnauth why such information was not provided to the media since Thursday. However, he did not answer the question.
According to the information provided to this newspaper, the two inmates escaped from the prison van while they were being transported to the Lusignan Prison.
Shortly after the escape, Ramotar said Velladares turned himself into the police at the Brickdam Police station.
He reportedly told the police that after he escap-ed, he boarded a taxi and travelled to Georgetown, where he went to a police station and surrendered.
Ramotar said Velladares also provided the police with details as to how he and Harry managed break the lock from the moving prison van and escape.
Velladares was yesterday charged with escaping from lawful custody. He appeared before city magistrate Sherdell Isaacs-Marcus. He pleaded guilty but was remanded to prison as sentencing was deferred until May 4.
Meanwhile, yesterday afternoon, Harry surrendered to police at the Leonora station.
At the time of the escape, Harry was serving a one year sentence for trafficking of narcotics. He, too, is likely to be charged with escaping from lawful custody soon.
