Manhunt on for man in viral Spaldings stand-off after his escape from hospital
Published:Wednesday | January 1, 2025 | 12:11 AMLivern Barrett/Senior Staff Reporter
A high-level investigation is under way to determine how an injured suspect in the foiled robbery at a Clarendon supermarket last month escaped from a hospital while under police guard.
The investigation was ordered by the Police High Command, according to Senior Superintendent Michael Phipps, head of the Kingston Western Police Division, where the Kingston Public Hospital (KPH) is located.
“The investigation is going on and whatsoever action is to be taken will be taken,” Phipps told The Gleaner yesterday.
The disclosure came after it was reported that the suspect, who was one of the four men who began livestreaming on social media after they were cornered by the police inside the Clarendon supermarket they allegedly tried to rob, had escaped KPH.
His name is being withheld because it is unclear if he has been charged with any crime.
The alleged robber was being guarded by the police at KPH where he was being treated for injuries which the police say were sustained during an exchange of gunfire with armed men who attempted to rob the supermarket in Spaldings.
Escaped through window
According to Phipps, initial reports indicated that he escaped through a bathroom window.
“We are not sure, exactly, of all the circumstances surrounding it… the officers basically are saying he requested to use the restroom and he used the opportunity to go through the window,” said Phipps.
He said the investigation ordered by the Police High Command will “determine what action should be taken around the persons who were responsible for guarding him”.
In the meantime, Phipps said a manhunt is under way to recapture the alleged robber.
It’s reported that, on December 8, four men who were allegedly part of a group of robbers, locked themselves inside the storeroom of the Spaldings supermarket as police moved in to foil an attempted robbery.
It resulted in a stand-off and, during negotiations with responding police, at least one of the alleged robbers went live on TikTok from the handle @red_one766 and pleaded with law enforcement to spare their lives.
“We waah surrender but…we never plan fi do nothing. Better life we want, enuh. Better life we want. A college mi a go, enuh. Tru you nuh know, tru the ting set a way,” one of the men said during the livestreaming.