The Royal Virgin Islands Police Force (RVIPF) has launched an island-wide manhunt after two prisoners escaped from His Majesty’s Prison on Saturday night, October 25.
According to a police statement, inmates Jose Almestica and John Burgos were discovered missing shortly after 9 p.m. The RVIPF confirmed that “an active search is now underway across the territory” and urged residents to report any sightings.
“Residents are strongly advised not to approach either individual, but to contact Police immediately at 368-9339, 311, or Crimestoppers at 800-8477 (TIPS),” the release stated.
Police have not yet revealed the circumstances that led to the escape but confirmed that both men were last accounted for earlier in the evening. It is the second time Almestica has escaped custody in the British Virgin Islands.
Almestica, who was previously wanted on multiple charges, escaped from custody in 2017 and evaded capture for months before being recaptured in 2018 during a police operation. He was known to have connections to serious firearm-related offences at the time of his earlier arrest.
Almestica was found guilty on all counts by a jury in the High Court on 15 July 2025. He was convicted of possession of cannabis and cocaine with intent to supply, possession of prohibited and unlicensed firearms, and unlawful possession of explosives.
Saturday’s incident has renewed public concern about security at the state prison, which has previously come under scrutiny for structural weaknesses and staff shortages. The facility, located in Balsam Ghut, houses inmates serving long-term sentences as well as remanded prisoners awaiting trial.
Wow. Google their names. Oh my. Hope they are found soon.
Bunch of clowns and corrupt amateurs
Anyone wanna bet they end up like small Brent escaping the island easy? With the help of the female friends or criminal friends?
But this concerning tho. Imagine testify against killers or criminals only to see on the news that they escaped.
Y’all needs upgrad that prison very outdated. Big 2025 and we got wire fences and wooden doors
Since you so smart you should go ahead and work for force then.
Natalio will have their pictures up on the walls of HOA soon.
You are right.
They are American like he is.
They waiting to go Independent whole we need a second prison,at least twice the occupancy of the current one in **Balsum Ghut. This way there would be legit reason to have the murderers current and new to be roaming and flaintjng their untouchable persona of badness.
..which now regained room for two since the “escapees” last evenjng.
Are there any publicly posted announcements cements with photos of these dangerous escaped prisoners .or are we to be innocently become victims of a possible crossfire.
Young Black males,with ties to the CARICOM aka updeislun group doing what they do best… preferred imported and installed in these VI as a means to enable and perpetuate the infamous cultural crime and criminal operations of their homeland origins in the Caribbean Island chain.
Motivational greed by those we elect!!!!
They won’t be ” caught”..at least,not by the BVI..
Lets hope they were caught on cctv camera. Probably not because notall areas are covred by cctv…the outside especially should have cameras all around…motion detecting cameras… Its a shame…never proactive…always reactive.
It had so many event going on last night! Besides that we have a visiting ship in our waters for the next couple of days.They need to stop ALL those dark out vehicles! If they are not caught, we going have a serious problem down the road. Like dark, dark days ahead…
Well know one see him unless they come to me
Y’all couldn’t even find small Brent. Good luck finding this guy in this criminal community that love to hide criminals then talk bad the police. Clown community.
Women hiding gunman and drug man and even going as far has holding guns and drugs for their illiterate boyfriends cuz “she luv bad man”
only to get cheated on, end up a single mother, unmarried, or get STDs. The same women you see dress up nice and professional in office spaces, government, beauty pageant etc. some real nasty women don’t mind the pretty face and body them laying some nasty dogs you won’t touch a stick with and have the logical thinking of a toddler. Once you realise that they don’t seem so attractive no more just feel petty for them.
But anyways y’all need overhaul that prison. Big 2025 and we still got fences and wooden doors can we get an increase on the prison budget instead of pay raises for politicians again thnx
So one man in for multiple gun crimes and alleged hitman for west bank
The next one was in for drugs and attempted murder ……. Oh boy
You’d think these guys turn to Christ and changed them life but that’s looking unlikely
AN INSIDE JOB , WE PLAYING HOLY , AND NOW THE INEVITABLE IS BEING EXPOSED WE ACTING LIKE WE ARE SUPPRISED, DON’T BE SUPPRISED IF THE CANARY ON HIS YELLO SITE DON’T WRITE THAT 2 ” POPULAR ” BUSINESS MEN WHO WERE ON VACATION AT ” BALO ” HAVE LEFT ON THEIR OWN FREE WILL , THEY GOT FED UP OF THE FOOD • THEN HE WILL BE DOING HIS BLOGGING USING DIFFERENT TO SPICE IT UP, AND BELIEVE ALL OF US WILL SWALLOW HIS DRAMA SH*T
Honestly this ain’t surprising. I always thought once Jose get the chance he’d be gone with the wind!!
Oh no look what the UK did to us again. Darn it
“An island wide manhunt”so it says …but note there are zero identifying photos such as thei mugshots or passport photos of these escapees
,
This place is over the top bold with the consistent pretense of crime prevention/ arrests.
The actions are no different than the Maduros,Venezuela,Columbia etal. as
result is the same as the NarcoStates pushing the drugs through with the resulting effect in the USA and the World at large which Trump is currently addressing with armored action.
If they have any wits, they’re no longer in the Territory. Otherwise, time will tell whether someone snitches.
Definitely sounds looks like an inside job. All officers on duty needs to be sent home pending investigation. Was to be sentenced, extension was requested and he escape prison where he should have been in maximum??? not adding up
fire all prison officers and start over, we cant trust any of them
When the stop and search going to take place?
Where are the helicopters to help search the hills?
Is there tighten security on the water?
KADEEM JAMAL HODGE IS STILL A WANTED MAN WHO ESCAPED FOM HMP..STOP EFFIN AROUND.