8 on the run, 1 held after jailbreak

A nationwide manhunt is under way to recapture eight prisoners who escaped custody early Tuesday morning from the Constant Spring Police Station lock-up in St Andrew.

As at press time last night, none of the fugitives had surrendered to authorities.

The Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) confirmed that the escapees broke out by cutting through a metal grille and a metal door, taking advantage of what appears to be a security lapse at the St Andrew North Police Divisional Headquarters.

A total of nine prisoners escaped, but one – 45-year-old David Rhoden of a Malvern Avenue address in Kingston – was recaptured shortly after the jailbreak.

“Immediate measures have been put in place to recapture the remaining escapees. Resources have been deployed islandwide to support the recapture of these individuals. The JCF is treating this matter with the highest level of urgency, and all assets are being utilised to return these individuals to custody as swiftly as possible,” the JCF said in a release.

POSSIBLE STAFFING ISSUE

The jailbreak reportedly occurred just hours after Nomination Day activities, during which police resources were stretched thin. The Gleaner has learned that staffing at the lock-up was inadequate at the time of the escape.

“Yes, there is overcrowding. Some 50 jailers in there … . Everybody tightlipped because it embarrassing whenever this happens … ,” a senior police source with knowledge of the investigation told The Gleaner.

“Adequate police personnel was not on shift. Police work hard to catch criminals and then big jailbreak. This defeat the purpose of our Wanted Wednesdays campaign,” said the cop, referring to a social media effort to enlist the public’s help to capture wanted persons.

AT LARGE

The eight escapees still at large are:

• Alunzo Espute, 19, of Cassava Piece, Kingston 8 – charged with murder.

• Brandon Ennis, 27, of Belvedere, Red Hills, St Andrew – charged with possession of a prohibited weapon.

• Talik Chambers, 23, of Burlington Avenue, Kingston 10 – charged with identity theft.

• Dorique Douglas, 25, of Upper Oxford Street, Kingston – charged with wounding with intent, shooting with intent, and malicious destruction of property.

• Fray Messias, 18, of Pinto, Stony Hill, St Andrew – charged with rape.

• Richard Bishop, 19, of Olympic Way, St Andrew – charged with burglary and larceny.

• Junior Anthony Barnes, 31, of Iron River, Golden Spring, St Andrew – charged with possession of a prohibited weapon and unauthorised ammunition.

• Kamal Kelly, 25, of Mannings Hill District, Stony Hill, St Andrew – charged with shooting with intent.

The JCF is urging the public to assist in the recapture efforts by reporting any information regarding the whereabouts of the escapees. Anyone with information is encouraged to contact the Constant Spring police at 876-924-1421, call the police 119 emergency number, report anonymously to Crime Stop at 311, or visit the nearest police station. The authorities also reminded the public that it is a criminal offence to harbour fugitives.

The jailbreak has once again raised concerns about the frequency of prisoner escapes and the persistent issues within the police lock-up system. While this is the first recorded jailbreak of 2025, it follows a series of high-profile escapes in recent times.

In November last year, Anthony Williams escaped from the Supreme Court during his sentencing hearing by leaping from a two-storey building. A month later, five prisoners broke out of the Barnett Street Police Station in St James, and another inmate escaped custody at the Kingston Public Hospital in a separate incident.

andre.williams@gleanerjm.com