Two remanded prisoners yesterday escaped from police custody as they were being transported from the Georgetown Magistrate’s Court to the Lusignan Prison on the East Coast of Demerara. The escapees, Kareem Douglas and Keon Webster are currently still at large.
According to a police report issued last night, the escape occurred at approximately 3 pm when two ranks from the Brickdam Police Station were escorting three prisoners in a police vehicle. The release said that upon arrival at the Lusignan Prison, one of the police ranks reversed the vehicle towards the Reception Gate.
Stabroek News understands that the driver and the other rank then exited the vehicle and opened the door for the prisoners, and one prisoner exited the vehicle and walked into the prison. However, Webster and Douglas, who were handcuffed together, made a break for it. With the handcuff still dangling from Webster’s left hand, the duo ran towards the public road, with prison guards in pursuit.
An alarm was raised, and a search party was deployed to locate the escaped prisoners. The Prison Service is also reviewing CCTV footage to aid search efforts.
At the time of their escape, Webster, a 31-year-old bus driver from Plaisance, and Douglas, a 23-year-old taxi driver from Alberttown, had both been remanded to prison on simple larceny charges.
The two police ranks involved in the incident are currently under close arrest as investigations into the escape continue. Members of the public are urged to report any sightings or information that may lead to the recapture of Webster and Douglas.
