– 2 of the 3 escapees still on the run
THE Golden Grove Police Station has upped its security system following last December’s escape from the lock-up there, Assistant Superintendent Rovin Dass said.
On December 20, 2017, three prisoners – Derrol James, 22, of 131 Middle Walk, Buxton; Ivre Hooper, 25, of James Street, Albouystown; and Wayne Gilbert, 25, of 30 West La Penitence – broke out of the lock-up at the Golden Grove Police Station. Gilbert was handed over to the police by his father but the two other escapees remain on the run.
On the sideline of the sod-turning ceremony for the Diamond/Grove Magistrate’s Court on Monday, Assistant Superintendent Dass told reporters that they have strengthened the physical structure of the station making a reoccurrence difficult.
“Well since that time the Police construction department [had] come and recast the area that they broke out of and we’ve reinforced it with some iron grill…The entire area is grilled and more secured now. So I don’t think that incident would be reoccurring,” he explained.
The station’s human resource capacity was also boosted, and a decision was taken not to house more than 15 prisoners at one time.
“We have also complemented our staffing with ranks…We have increased the level of supervision and the [number] of ranks at the station as well, and also have a limit of prisoners that we house here. We don’t house above 15 at any one time, so we ensure that the situation is always manageable,” Assistant Superintendent Dass further explained.
James was arrested for a series of armed robberies, while Hooper was in custody for simple larceny. Gilbert has been accused of murdering Rawle Rodrigues, on January 20, 2017 at Stabroek Square.
Back in December, the trio escaped from the Golden Grove Police Station ‘lock-up’ via an opening on the western wall.
Police had said that a piece of metal believed to have been broken off from the cell door was used to break the wall. The metal was found nearby. Das is assuring that the reinforcement structure coupled with increase ranks at the station will prevent a recurrence.
