Cops: escapee is armed and dangerous

Tonight Belize City police need your help in locating a fugitive from justice. Twenty-one year Ernest Hinds escaped from a prison bus enroute to Hattieville between four and five on Thursday evening. Authorities say they believe Hinds is hiding out somewhere in Belize City but caution the public to be careful as the wanted man is considered armed and dangerous. At the time of his escape, Hinds was being remanded on charges of robbery, aggravated assault and use of deadly means of harm. Tonight we understand that as the prison vehicle slowed down to go over a speed bump on Vernon Street, Hinds and two other prisoners opened the door and took off. The other two prisoners, Dennis Quilter and Casey Allen are tonight behind bars. Quilter is the same man we reported in the preceding story as being convicted of the attempted burglary of Emil Arguelles’ house. This morning when Quilter appeared before Chief Magistrate Herbert Lord to answer to an additional charge of Escape, he told the court: “I would want you to commit me to Rockview. I don’t feel mentally stable right now.” Lord opted to sentence Quilter to two years. His sentences will run consecutively so Quilter will spend the next nine and a half years behind bars. The other escapee, Casey Allen, turned himself into Hattieville Prison today in the company of his attorney. Meanwhile, if you have any information that can assist authorities in finding Ernest Hinds, please call the nearest police station.