Police suspend leave amid manhunt for escapees
Jose Almestica (left) and John Burgos/caption]
Acting Commissioner of Police Jacqueline Vanterpool has suspended all police vacation leave until the end of December as officers intensify the manhunt for two inmates who escaped His Majesty’s Prison at Balsam Ghut last month.
The decision is expected to maximise manpower across all districts as the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force (RVIPF) works to locate fugitives Jose Almestica and John Burgos, who escaped custody on October 25.
“This is a necessary action to ensure the full strength of the force is on the ground and working alongside this investigation, while contributing to the advanced police presence in all districts,” Vanterpool explained.
Vanterpool confirmed that the fugitives are believed to still be within the territory. “To this date, we have no indication that the fugitives have left the Virgin Islands,” she stated while adding that police patrols across the islands “continue to be heightened with the aim of apprehending and returning these individuals to lawful custody in short order”.
She described both men as “armed and extremely dangerous” and urged members of the public not to approach them under any circumstances.
As part of the ongoing investigation, the RVIPF is working closely with Superintendent of Prisons Jay Kendall and his team. “We have begun to receive statements from prison officers who were on duty during the escape,” Vanterpool said, adding that CCTV footage from the facility and surrounding areas is being reviewed “to gain a better understanding of what took place on the ground on that night of October 25th”.
The Acting Commissioner has also sought external support for the operation. “We are pulling on every available resource to us, and once granted, their presence will bolster these operations on the ground,” she said.
Vanterpool reaffirmed that the RVIPF “takes the threat of this matter seriously” and remains “unrelenting in our mission to find these persons quickly”.
The expanded police deployment has also yielded other results, with several arrests made for weapons and drug offences. “This week, a total of three persons were arrested for firearms and five persons for drug-related matters,” Vanterpool disclosed, adding that officers “will continue to work to rid our streets of these illegal weapons threatening the safety of our communities”.
She concluded by assuring the public of her “unwavering commitment to your safety and security,” pledging continued updates as the manhunt progresses.
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If the RVIPF is serious about capturing these escapes they should consider offering rewards for info..money answeret all things…..
Really?? Didn’t they offer a reward in the west end double murder with the little child??
Why the white dude them put in charge of the prison not the one explaining how the inmates got away and what has been implemented to make sure it doesn’t happen again? One of them done escape twice now you cant say its a fluke clearly he can get out of there when he feel like. Like the police don’t have enough on their plate already now they got to go recapture man they they done catch already.
Hot wuk for the police mehson
Imagine working hard to get the gun man and killas in jail only for them to live their best life in jail and break out easily lol. Only in the bvi
Then the same community that dislikes the police and will hide the criminals going blame police and cuss them stink saying them lazy and don’t do no work lmfao. Only in the bvi mehson
The same community when ex commissioner Michael Matthews say if you see something say something then the community made song saying stop that watchy watchy. And the young people blast and popularized the song glorifying criminal activity and fast life. Now them wondering why the young boys under 20 pushing firearms in them face asking for cash. Real bvi comedy I tell yah
This happens all over the Caribbean . I have Eternet.
As the leader of the country Hon. Whealtey is responsible and should also be addressing these matters directly and not let Jacki do all the work. He and the Governor are both responsible for the islands direction and future..stop hiding behind closed doors while crime and violence stifles the country’s wellbeing.
The police want to use dis to go to people home
C* , A* , and he brother own the yellow laundry hiding him. Them man still on the island here is were the drugs comes first he wanted in st Thomas by police and gin man, I add Vic anyone have guns keep them u going to need them the police can’t save you