Recaptured prisoners sentenced to 1 year each

Four days after twenty-two year old Edwin Javier Vanegas made a break for freedom, the prisoner is still at large. Police say they have no idea where Vanegas may be hiding, but are hoping that over the weekend he will be recaptured. On Thursday, authorities reported that the fugitive might have been making efforts to head west, however there is no indication to suggest Vanegas has made that move. Police continue to advise the general public to be on the lookout and caution motorists not to pick up hitchhikers. On Thursday morning police apprehended the fifth escaped inmate, Robert Hill, in a house off Mahogany Street in the St. Martin De Porres area. Hill was reportedly hiding out in a residence occupied by Steve Smith. Smith has since been arrested and charged with harbouring a fugitive. This morning, Smith appeared in Magistrate’s Court and pleaded not guilty to the charge. He was granted bail in the sum of one thousand dollars plus one surety of the same amount. His case has been adjourned until September twentieth, 2005.

Also in court this morning were twenty-eight year old Robert Hill, twenty-five year old Carlton Lord Jr., eighteen year old Michael Faux, twenty-two year old Allan Orellano Perdomo, and twenty year old Manuel Williams, who appeared before Magistrate Sharon Fraser. The five men were all formally charged with escape and assaulting a police officer. Hill, Faux, Perdomo and Williams pled guilty to the charge of escape, but not guilty to the charge of assaulting a police officer. Ewart Wade, the bus driver, was hit in the back of the head as he transported the prisoners. During the court appearance, Perdomo pled not guilty for two more separate charges of assaulting a police officer in connection with Special Constables Bartolo Cruz and Wellington Welch who were on the bus at the time of the incident and were reportedly in a struggle with some of the inmates. In addressing the five inmates, Fraser asked Perdomo, “Were you not to be released on the eighteenth?” Perdomo replied: “Mi head just gaan ma’am.” The Magistrate then turned her attention to Lord and told him that he alone has not pleaded guilty. Lord replied: “They start to whop me up in the bus. Myvette, the police, told me why I no go, why I no go.”

Hill, Faux, Perdomo and Williams were each given a year in prison for escape and remanded for the remaining charge of assaulting a police officer until September ninth, 2005. Because he pled not guilty, Lord will have to stand trial.