Escapee Captured After Eleven Years on the Run

Elwin Vanegas

Elwin Vanegas managed to successfully avoid capture by evading authorities for eleven years, after fleeing a prison bus in 2005. But we can report that he has been captured and returned to Belize from Guatemala, where he was said to be in hiding. Vanegas was picked up over the weekend and today, a warrant was prepared for his committal back to the Central Prison in Hattieville. Vanegas was serving a five-year sentence for burglary at the time of his escape and had only served one year at the time. If he had not escaped, he would have likely completed his sentence. But since he did, he must serve out his remaining time and face additional charges for escape, which is now an indictable offense and must be tried at the Supreme Court, following a preliminary inquiry. Vanegas is expected to be brought to court for arraignment later this week.