St Mary shake-up possible after 7 escape in jailbreak
Published:Friday | December 22, 2023 | 12:10 AMAndre Williams/Staff Reporter
The Police High Command made a raft of management changes in St Elizabeth in June after a major jailbreak there. Now, the fate of their counterparts in St Mary is to be decided after seven more escaped custody yesterday.
The Gleaner understands that a report has been requested on the incident after the latest embarrassment to the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF).
A manhunt is reportedly under way to recapture the men who escaped custody from the Oracabessa Police lock-up.
The inmates were discovered missing during a routine cell check early Thursday morning.
The police say that preliminary reports are that the inmates managed to escape from custody by cutting through a ventilation grille.
The police have identified the ringleader among them and said he orchestrated the breakout.
He is Gaveen Hurd, 31, who is charged with murder and had been remanded at the lock-up for a year.
According to the JCF, he is known to frequent Stony Hill, St Andrew, and Enfield, St Mary.
A preliminary probe by the St Mary Divisional Intelligence Unit (DIU) suggests that the men had been planning the escape for some time.
The Gleaner understands that at least three of the seven escapees were culpable in the planned escape, and that as a result, a major cell search was carried out on December 17, where various pieces of contraband were found, including cell phones, chargers, and lighters.
The Oracabessa lock-up reportedly has an established capacity for 10 adult males. However, it was housing 17 adult male prisoners at the time of the incident.
The other escapees were in custody for serious crimes, including murder, aggravated robbery, and rape.
Images published
The Corporate Communications Unit of the JCF released the images of six of the escapees. They are 24-year-old Tray Walker of Claremont, St Ann, charged with rape; 25-year-old Jahmala Vernon of Boscobel, St Mary, charged with robbery; 22-two-year-old Phillip Williams of Belfield, St Mary, charged with shooting with intent; 22-year-old Linton Bailey of Jacks River, St Mary, charged with shooting; 26-year-old Lashawn Davidson of Jacks River, St Mary, charged with shooting; 21-year-old Nolando Akenson of Pimento Walk, St Ann, and Boscobel, St Mary, charged with robbery.
A relative of one of the escapees contacted The Gleaner after seeing his picture in the media.
“I want to tell him to turn himself in. I know he is a great thinker and he is family, but for his safety and the others, I would encourage them to turn themselves in,” said the cousin, who requested anonymity.
He was mindful, however, that the men wanted to spend the Christmas away from the overcrowded lock-up.
“A Christmas time, and every prisoner or inmate have family. Dem nuh fi put dem family at risk because the police can start visit dem in all manner of ways. Just think and turn in yourself,” the relative told The Gleaner, with the hope that one of the escapees sees his plea.
The police are asking anyone with information that could assist in locating the escapees to contact the Oracabessa police at 876-726-0698, Crime Stop at 311, the JCF tip line at 811, or the nearest police station.
In the meantime, following the escape of eight prisoners from the Black River Police Station in June, then divisional commander Superintendent Kenneth Chin was reassigned to Area Five Headquarters.
Deputy Superintendent of Police Coleridge Minto immediately assumed duties as commanding officer for the division.
Other changes include the post of administration officer, the operations officer, as well as other supervisory posts at the station level were made.
Two JCF members were interdicted pending further inquiries.
“These changes will facilitate a thorough and unimpeded investigation into the circumstances leading to the escape of the inmates as the investigation progresses,” the High Command explained then.