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Skinny had three-hour start

Top Cop sees ‘gross negligence’

High-profile prisoner Jermaine ‘Skinny’ Charles had a three-hour lead before a manhunt was launched for him on Wednesday after he slipped under a seven-inch space left from a loose board in the Sparendaam lock-ups.

The loose board was something the station sergeant had knowledge about over a month ago, the police admitted yesterday.

Commissioner of Police Henry Greene speaking at a press conference at his office on the prisoner’s escape told reporters that the police are convinced that the man’s escape was well planned and while there is no evidence at this time of collusion, which he said is suspected, the officers found guilty of negligence will be interdicted from duty. The Top Cop also admitted that there is no evidence that the mandatory checks were made on the prisoners during the period that they were returned to the lock-ups after making their court appearance.

“The force administration intends to take serious action against those persons found to be negligent. They will be interdicted from duty until such time that their matters are completed, whether it be criminally or departmentally and we are hoping to wrap up those investigations quickly,“ Greene declared.

Recounting the events, leading to Charles’s successful getaway, Greene said at about 10 on Wednesday morning, 33 prisoners including Charles and David Leander called `Biscuit’ were escorted from the Georgetown prisons to the Sparendaam police station. He said the police have a standing order that high-profile prisoners like Charles and Leander must be escorted by the Tactical Services Unit (TSU) and they were in a prison van. He added that the van had a traffic escort, the TSU escort under Inspector Adams and a “C” Division police escort under Inspector Williams.

According to the Com-missioner, the prisoners were also handcuffed to each other but that there were no foot cuffs as the police on the East Coast could not account for same which have been previously used.

Charles was at the Sparendaam court to answer a charge in relation to the murder of then government minister Satyadeow Sawh, his siblings and his security guard. He is also facing other charges of murder including for the Kaieteur News pressmen.

Going into further detail, the commissioner stated that at the station there was an officer, Assistant Superinten-dant Watts who was supervising activity in the compound while station Sergeant Abrams and Corporal Peters were in the barrack room preparing for an inspection which would have been done by them yesterday. He said one constable, Constable Kissoon, was in the enquiries office.

At around 11:30 am, Leander and Charles were taken out for court where they spent only about 10 minutes and then replaced in the lock-ups as the police awaited the magistrate’s signature of the warrants before they departed for the Georgetown Prison.

Signalled

However he said it would appear that the prisoners were left unsupervised and no one visited the lock-ups. During this time the two wooden boards between the lock-ups door and the concrete floor of the cell were lifted and Charles used a seven inch by two and half inch opening to escape.

It was when the police received the warrants at about 3.30 pm and were ready to move the prisoner that they discovered that `Skinny’ had escaped.

Information later revealed that Charles, upon entering the courtyard had signalled to the occupants of two dark coloured cars which were parked in close proximity to the court, whose drivers had then flashed the vehicle lights.

The police believe that Charles may have left in one of the cars.

Negligence

Greene acknowledged that there was gross negligence. He said investigations have since revealed that the female station sergeant was aware that the lock-ups board had been loose about a month ago and she took no action to remedy the situation. He further stated that it also appeared that inspectors in charge of the escorts paid no attention to the high-profile prisoners in the lock-ups.

He said the station is very low and so it is difficult for anyone to see underneath and the prisoner managed to slip away. He told reporters that based on evidence so far, the station sergeant is ‘slack.’ “It was slackness on the part of ranks and the subordinate officer in charge,” he insisted.

However, Greene could not say exactly how many officers would be interdicted from duty but noted that the case was one of serious and gross neglect.

“The two inspectors did not pay enough attention, the enquiries officer paid no attention at all and the guards were not alert and of course there was idleness on the part of security ranks,” he said.

He insisted too that the prisoners should have been handcuffed and shackled but upon further questioning Greene said he would not disclose whether the high- profile prisoners were also shackled while inside the lock-ups. `Skinny’ and `Biscuit’ were in a separate lock-up along with four other murder accused.

Asked about the standard operating procedures when remand prisoners were being held at the lock-ups, Greene said this depended on the profile of the prisoner. “Sometimes we do different things, we call names, check to ensure that they are alright and with the non-violent prisoners sometimes a different approach is taken. Sometimes we look in to see they are there and ok,” he said.

Commenting on general procedures in this regard too, Greene explained that any officer visiting a station had a responsibility to check the lock-ups. The commissioner inspects station once each year.

Four break-outs

Meantime, ‘C’ Division Commander Leroy Brummel who has overall responsibility for the Sparendaam station as well as many others on the coast admitted that the same station had four breakouts in the past, at least one of which was also due to the loose boards.

However when asked of his last visit to the station, Brummel said he visited regularly. When pressed further, the assistant commissioner said he visited the station last week but did not notice the loose boards neither was he informed about it. “I didn’t notice it before and when I checked I didn’t see anything,” he said.

The police say they have no idea where Charles may have gone. His family members are being sought but searches by the police have revealed that they have abandoned their homes. The police also believe that `Skinny’ may have been assisted by relatives who were around the station at the time. Further, Greene told reporters that intelligence sources have indicated that efforts were being made by family members to acquire a firearm to assist in his escape from the authorities. Asked why security was not enhanced in light of this, Greene insisted that security was adequate adding that the man’s escape was due to grave negligence.

The police have advised all members of the public and family members of Charles that it is an offence to harbour any person wanted by the police.

The force has also called on all family members and civic-minded persons not to shelter this fugitive from justice but to hand him over to the authorities as soon as possible.

The police in a statement yesterday said that anyone with information that may lead to the recapture of Charles is asked to contact the police on telephone numbers 225 – 6411, 225 -7625, 225- 6940, 225 -6941, 229 – 2701, 229-2701, 911 or the nearest police station. All information will be treated with strict confidence.

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38 Responses to “Skinny had three-hour start”

amen-ra
on June 27th, 2008 6:05 am

This is gross negligence, and all involved should be disciplined, now we have a killer on the loose, soon we may have a wave of new crimes if this man is not caught.

[Reply to this]
bvbocan
In reply to the above comment on June 27th, 2008 10:53 am:
Anyone who saw the movie apocalypto knows that skinny is a dead man running.

[Reply to this]
MSSH
on June 27th, 2008 7:00 am

awwww……they are finally awake…”gross neglience”. Never thought they knew that word.

[Reply to this]
cochore
on June 27th, 2008 7:21 am

This is a big ugly joke being played on the nervous Guyanese people where the Police Chief is in charge of nothing and ought to be fired pronto. Too many incompetent Gov’t officials explaining and nobody actually SERVING the people, just imagine this police station had four breakouts in the past. I guess this is what ‘brain drain’ looks like.

[Reply to this]
BADLALL
In reply to the above comment on June 27th, 2008 10:33 am:
Skinny will apply for a visa and join the brain drain line, at least he has brains.

[Reply to this]
bvbocan
In reply to the above comment on June 27th, 2008 12:51 pm:
Fineman - Skinny… what’s up with these anorexic names?
Fulleyes
on June 27th, 2008 7:34 am

Can you believe what you are reading?
I cannot.
Skinny escaped through a 7″x21/2″ opening. Wow then again his name is skinny. Henry Green should be ashamed to make such a statement. He had a 3 hour start, car lights were flashed at him and he acknowledged the occupants of the car wow this is all too too much. And for me to believe that all this was known, and no one in authority took it seriously.

WOW

[Reply to this]
Rinna
on June 27th, 2008 7:39 am

Now they asking anyone with information to call them, who in their right mind gonna call them with any information about skinny? Its clear in the minds of guyanese what really happened. Skinny was helped from inside.

[Reply to this]
popeoplefedup
on June 27th, 2008 7:39 am

I always opine that this government constructs in the mode of Naipaul’s Hanuman House: lots of robust facades but little substance inside.

Examples- schools, hospitals, now prisons

How on earth can you still have board lock ups, especially with the breed of criminals in this country?

[Reply to this]
bungbang
In reply to the above comment on June 27th, 2008 10:10 am:
How on earth can you still have board lock ups, especially with the breed of criminals in this country?

Ask Rohee and de government who spending millions to host caricom nationals for carifesta who en even like guyanese in them small islands.

[Reply to this]
motherofmine
In reply to the above comment on June 27th, 2008 2:39 pm:
THATS BECAUSE THE GOVERNMENT RUNNING THE COUNTRY LIKE A SALT GOODS SHOP, THEY HAVE NO VISION, THE ARE LOOKING AT HOW OTHER COUNTRIES RUNTHING THEN THEY FOLLOW PATERN.

[Reply to this]
billp
on June 27th, 2008 8:10 am

Wow! only three hours before they discovered Skinny missing.Maybe he used the late minister Sawh credit card to pay his fare to where he went. Heck! he’s probably out of the country with the minister’s Air miles card.

[Reply to this]
raulcedras
on June 27th, 2008 9:07 am

Now skinny is gonna be blamed for everything that occurs in life that goes wrong. While the big ones in high places who committed the crimes are free to walk. Some democracy or more like DEH-MO-CRAZY.

[Reply to this]
Guy99
In reply to the above comment on June 27th, 2008 11:10 am:
You got! They need a second person to blame for all the unsolved crimes. So now it will be fineman and skinny. Fineman in the interior and skinny in the city.

[Reply to this]
rdman
on June 27th, 2008 9:10 am

Those officers that are responsible should be,not only fired but placed before the courts and given jail time.Heads should be rolling,too many people are getting away with nonsense.I blame the government.

[Reply to this]
raulcedras
on June 27th, 2008 9:10 am

Why are those ministers not interdicted from duty for the incompetence & foolish behavior. The minister that beat the teenager & shot at him for example

[Reply to this]
thickisha2004
on June 27th, 2008 9:14 am

Where are we heading for in Guyana? This is more than negligence. The lock-up was in no way fit for accommodation as such “TRASH” will continue to surface until we do what we have to do in the line of our duties.

[Reply to this]
bungbang
on June 27th, 2008 10:05 am

LMFAO only recently the minister of home affairs were visiting stations and said they were in a deplorable state, yet after his visit none was fixed, but now they will be looking for scape goats to charge and dismiss, I’m sorry for poor insp Adam, Mr Watts and de station sergeant. Green should answer why when defaults r reported it does tek de adminstration of the force yrs to fix them but yet when things like these happen they wanna crusify de small fish to appease de public.

[Reply to this]
GT_BANA
In reply to the above comment on June 27th, 2008 1:37 pm:
You hit it right on the button BungBang.

[Reply to this]
Alli
on June 27th, 2008 10:12 am

Will Greene blame Skinny’s escape on Fineman and his gang next?

[Reply to this]
optimistic pessimist
on June 27th, 2008 10:13 am

Is jus me or someting ent smell right here. Listen bannas, tek out yuh pencil and ruler and draw a rectangle that is 7 inches long by 2 1/2 inches wide and tell me if anybody but a rubber man can pass through that. I doan k how skinny Mr. Skinny is, unless his head size measures 7 X 2 1/2 inches or less, he cant pass through a enclosure that size.

Suppose is a setup. Suppose dey mek a deal wid e. Suppose they deliberately loose e so dat e could mek contact with fine man gang and infiltrate it. Den e could gi dem intel dat could lead to de capture of Guyana most wanted. Maybe dey promise e witness protection and a fat raise fuh e and e family…

Hmmm! Nah, we boys in de police force ent suh smart, dem kind a ting could only happen where there is a real Intelligence Department in a Police force, what am I thinking bannas!!!

[Reply to this]
stone80
on June 27th, 2008 10:57 am

Gross neglience,what is Mr.green talking about.They are a bunch of slackers.I wonder what would it take for them to get their act together.It seems like a movie at STARLITE -DRIVE -IN,”POLICE ACADEMY GOING GREEN”

[Reply to this]
malaika06
on June 27th, 2008 10:57 am

The rot has really set in. It started from the top and is seeping down, no, rather it’s running like hell through the rank and file.

The fact of the matter is the majority of police officers and the rank and file just don’t give two hoots about proper, professional and responsible policing.

Who are training these people? The current crop of police officers make a mockery of the few who are hardworking and strive for some sort of professionalism, given the limited resources.

Apparently, NO ONE absolutely take no pride in their work any more.

It’s just a J-O-B. I shudder to think what is likely to happen with this alleged killer on the run.

Not only should the entire police staff at Sparendaam be fired but the top head should roll and, if at all possible, gut the police officer corp.

Get some one from Scotland Yard or the FBI to head the police and not in no darn advisory capacity either!

Give this expert carte blanche to do as he sees fit to bring Guyana law enforcement back to some semblance of respectability and professionalism.

A new police officers’ corp with a brand new ideology that upholds professionalism; a new training manual that imparts to new recruits respect for citizens, effective community relations and cooperation among other things are just few issues that must be tackled before the Guyana police can function effectively again

[Reply to this]
Cheryl
In reply to the above comment on June 27th, 2008 2:32 pm:
How much money dey gan pay them fo come dey and wok, dem bays would get corrupt to.police tek a bribe, it gan be the same ting, except u gea dem boys the same pay way dey come from, u meking joke

[Reply to this]
Vanie
on June 27th, 2008 11:28 am

This is gross negligence of those in authorities. I cannot understand a place like t he Police Station ..prisoners cell is not secured…loose floor boards ..what a laugh! These places should be checked periodically to ensure that criminals are kept securely. It takes an incident in Guyana for us to learn what should be done, not what should be done from the basics…it takes us a situation to prepare for the next to come…. not prevention is better than cure!!!! Come on … stop shifting blame here…. do what should be done at all times sensibly and responsibly.

[Reply to this]
Cheryl
In reply to the above comment on June 27th, 2008 2:37 pm:
Is not skinny ’s fault, he was in jail, if they had given him lots of pork chops, porkchops skins, and beers he would have became fat and could not have passed through (lol)

The person/s. who are responsible for reporting and inspecting the holding cells should be fired

[Reply to this]
billgates
on June 27th, 2008 11:41 am

7 by 2 and 1/2 inch did Green make a mistake and he mean 7ft by 2 and 1/2 ft because there is no way a man can fit through a hole that size no matter how “skinny’ he is if u think i lie take a ruler and draw a seven by 2 and haft inch red tangle and c what u get as “optimistic”suggested

[Reply to this]
sandy
In reply to the above comment on June 27th, 2008 6:42 pm:
LOLOLOLOL!!!!!! too true. This would be hilarious slapstick if it weren’t so damn tragic.

[Reply to this]
Davo
on June 27th, 2008 11:45 am

Just when I was heading to buy my ticket to return home permanently, I get this news flash. Well don’t ask. A already went and beg back for me wuk!!!!!!!!

Like the police ensuring that there is a crop of criminals available to continue their manhunt, even after the Finemen are corralled. Or they are trying to get a replacement to blame for future atrocities.

God help Guyana!!!!!!!!!!!!
And me too, as I will continue to miss GT for a bit longer.

[Reply to this]
gtikool
In reply to the above comment on June 27th, 2008 2:20 pm:
hmm interesting point Davo,

So who is fineman and from whence he came?

Now i have the ??? where do i turn for the Answers?

PPP/PNC/AFC/ROAR/GPG/GDF/Buxton/Lusignan/Bartica ….?

Only God knows

[Reply to this]
jeremy339
on June 27th, 2008 1:56 pm

Jagdeo deh liming all over the world while my Guyanese people are suffering. I can’t say what I think of that because Stabroek will edit it.

[Reply to this]
truegt
on June 27th, 2008 2:26 pm

a seven by two an a half gap? he must be rubbermaid. Does he think the public are fools?cant tell yall how i shame,hope my british friends aint reading this.

[Reply to this]
Twinkle Toe
on June 27th, 2008 4:57 pm

Those officers involved in the escape of Skinny should be placed before the courts and when fined guilty, be jailed for a long time.

It is most disgusting to learn of the escape of this dangerous man and now we find ourselves once again under some stress.

Why these dangerous criminals are not handcuffed and foot cuffed even if they are in the lockup beats me. This really not good enough.

[Reply to this]
rp
on June 27th, 2008 5:09 pm

Well ! Well What have we here? Time for the lie detector test. Start with the TOP and Mr. Jag Start firing!!!.
OOOPS, They might be without a police force.

Can anyone make sense of this? They will now spend the money on an Inquiry.
Seems all that this police station can do is
1. Stop Mini Buses and other smaller violations
2. Charge Conductors
3. LET CRIMINALS GO FREE

GOD HELP GUYANA.

[Reply to this]
LoveGT4Real
on June 27th, 2008 5:25 pm

Dear Mr Green / “Top Cop”,

All Guyana, the world over, know by now that this is in no way a result of “slackness’ on the part of the poor female Sergent, but instead it’s an abominable display of ineptitude on your part.

The testicular fortitude you must possess in order to look the media in the face and come up with this……….Sir, on a serious note, do you actually believe the nonsense that comes from your own mouth?
You are no longer insulting the intelligence of the Guyanese people,instead you are now becoming our favorite pass time for amusement.

Even if the opening in the floor was a bit bigger he would still have to be a contortionist to escape, seeing that the building is so “low” to the ground.

Here is a great idea Mr. Green, why not invite the people from the Guinness Book of World Records to come see how “skinny” out maneuver hoodini with his 7×2.5 inch stunt?

I am inclined to believe what some of the bloggers said about a set-up.
Maybe he was meant to “escape” to create more fear thus distracting from other serious issues (like the RK saga) or so that the JS could have someone to blame the next time “fine man” strikes at say the North Pole for example.

We know the “POWERS THAT BE” more than likely instructed you to come up with something, but this?……………….ahhhh gimme a break man!
Do you think you can sell this to the grieving families of Lusignan and Bartica to name a few?……………………….and you call yourself “Top COP”?

[Reply to this]
gtagricola
on June 27th, 2008 10:33 pm

Did skinny really escape or is he missing like the other 200 guyanese that disappear and their family don’t know where to find them? Because 7×2.5 inches is impossible for someone to escape.

[Reply to this]
BOEING777
on June 27th, 2008 11:10 pm

LMAO… I can pass thru less than 7 x 2.5 inch opening, muchless that skinny guy. ha, ha, ha… it this wasn’t so sad, it would be hilarious!!!
Jeeze, these people are so funny, they actually believe this crap.

[Reply to this]
ankoko
on June 28th, 2008 9:17 am

7″X2.5″. There are parts of my body that can’t fit in that. Seriously. No joke on my part. (Got someof you! ‘is mi hand ah talkin’ bout’) Anyway it shows that you’re thinking. This stinks like a thousand skunks!!
Us Guyanese do have a sense of humor, but I think that it is time this Comedy show that passes for our country’s administration gets the curtain pulled down and the nation’s interests be properly served. Without being specific, I say -
There has got to be people with integrity who are capable of maintaining Law and Order here. Can we please get them already? Every day we are one step closer to ‘Anarchy’
Not to make excuses for Mr. Greene (whom I know personally), I know he is academically endowed and should be a very capable leader; but I think he is playing with the hand that he was dealt and in this game you can’t ‘throw in’ your hand because you get dealt 7 ‘Jokers’.
That said - we should always remember that ’stuff’ rolls downwards and if that’s what coming down then the rest is elementary. Change has GOT to come, it has to come from the top. If the President doesn’t have the ability to determine the proper direction for the governance of the country and the best staffing to do it with then he should be honest enough to leave and let someone who has the ability to do so. (There I go - POLITICIAN AND HONESTY - don’t go together). If the PPP doesn’t have the resources then the populace should look elsewhere. People need to BE safe in their homes and country. These criminal activities HAVE GOT TO BE STOPPED for any REAL national progress to be made. Got to go- more later!!

[Reply to this]