3 PrisonersEscape from Police Headquarters ...
The incredulity of this latest escape incident- the fourth to take place - three from the Central Police Station,and one from the Bodden Town Police Station, involving five prisonersof which two had escaped previously from the same cellblock whilein Police custody, must be worrisome to the community. Astonishingly,it is the second breakout by two of the escapees who were recenltlyre-captured in separate operations after their first escape fromjail, on the 8th of February.
The prisoners now on the loose are two convictedmurderers serving life sentences: Steve Manderson for the killingof a Prison guard while serving time at Northward Prison and McAndyThomas convicted for the shooting death of an elderly merchantin a robbery incident when he was just 15. Gary Hurlston the thirdescapee was charged and being held for the alleged firing of gunshots and damaging the Court House.
This is the fourth time Manderson has escaped.
What is known so far about this latest escapefrom an informed source -- subject to official confirmation --which this time involved the use of a weapon and injury to a LawEnforcement Officer, is as follows:
A fire was started - following a similarploy a few days ago - in the previously "undisclosed",but- known-to-be secure cellblock at Police Headquarters, sometimebefore this escape.
Thomas, Manderson and Hurlston were thenmoved manacled, in handcuffs and legs-chains, to the new cellblockbecause of the thick arid smoke - probably generated by the plasticcovered mattresses - into the new cellblock from which there weretwo escapes a few weeks ago. The windows, from which the earlierbreakouts took place, are now fully re-inforced.
While in the new cellblock, one of the triowho escaped last night, was escorted to the bathroom, and whilebeing returned to his cell, he brandished a knife and attemptedto slash the Prison Guard who was assigned to keep watch overPrisoners kept in the police cells.
It is reported that he then allegedly injuredand overpowered the guard, took away his keys, and then he (orthey) then proceeded to the open door which separates the cellsfrom a station manned by a Police auxiliary, held a knife to histhroat and relieved him of his keys. The trio then made theirescape through a side door, and completed their escape.
A call on Police Headquarters at 12:45 amtoday, some three hours after this latest breakout by prisoners,gave the appearance that there ought to be more guards on duty- if only to be posted at the front and side doors leading tothe exits from the Police Headquarters building.
Many of the Police Service's Officers arejust recovering from intensive duty brought on by 12-hour shiftsin Police operations to recapture the last batch of escapees.
As news of this escape spread last night- after a police report was read on Radio Cayman, this escapedtrio was described as "bad boys" by a night watchman.
Fully armed RCIP Task Force were pressedinto service, with off-duty Officers being called in to beef upthe task force who have spread out in an attempt to recapturethese Prisoners who are considered to be "dangerous."
The combination of these escapes put a shockingaverage - although there have been 'group-of-three-breakouts -of one prisoner per week escaping from Police cells over the past51 days - or in less than two months.
Add to the numerous escapes from NorthwardPrison in recent months - and this voluminous amount of escapes/breakoutsby prisoners - this must put the Cayman Islands in quite an embarrassinglight.
CAYMAN NET NEWS attempted to get an up-date of this latest escapeby prisoners - up to the time prior this report was uploaded -and was informed that there were no developments.
Further reports will be given when theybecome available.
The NorthwardPrisoner who took an overnight break - went shopping
This bold-faced prisoner, who wasbeing held in custody by Prison Authorities, was reported to havegone shopping at an all-night convenience store.
Among purchases he made with a fifty dollarbill were: A carton and two single packs of cigarettes, 2 cigarettelighters, and a packet of king size 'Rizla +' which is used forrolling matter for smoking.
It is expected that, according to Prisonrules, this convict will be charged by the Prison Director forhis escapade.
CAL's New SchedulePrompts Questions
In response to questions posed by localtravel agents and its still loyal passengers, the following "Statement"was issued by Mrs. Pilar Bush-Gordon, Vice President for Marketing,Sales and Corporate Planning at 6:36 last evening:
The following is the verbatim text of thisstatement, prepared by Mrs. Bush:
"Cayman Airways is changing certainaspects of the strategy behind its (new) schedule.
We are introducing a schedule that deliversbetter service to Cayman Brac, both for residents and visitors.The schedule changes also provide better times for our customersmaking connections to, or form, cities behind our gateways; and,protects the local weekend travel patterns to South Florida, fortravel to Miami on Friday evenings and returning on Sundays.
Back in January, Cayman Airways did intendto introduce its three-aircraft schedule in April, but the recentoperational delays and irregular operations experienced with maintenancechecks forced us to defer the implementation of a schedule thatrequired 3 aircraft.
We decided to defer this because we wantedto make sure we had three aircraft on island and operational beforewe introduce the schedule. The integrity of the schedule is essentialto our continuing efforts to provide our loyal customers withreliable and convenient flights and connections. Bearing thisin mind, we reviewed the April schedule and made the necessarychanges to allow us to do this with only 2 aircraft.
However, we are taking a close look atthe planned three aircraft schedule to make sure we can deliverthe schedule that we promised our customers. We are being conservativeas we do this, and are sure that our customers will appreciatethis.
This is a very hectic time for us atCayman Airways as our Executive Team tries to regroup after thesudden departure of the ex-CEO, as well as the need to focus oncustomer service and employee relations at the same time movingthe business forward - which was already a full plate.
I will continue to thank you for yourunderstanding and to thank you for your assistance as we endeavourto keep our customers informed."
The statement was signed by Mrs KathrynJackson, CAL's Manager of Marketing Communications.
The new scheduled published on the 16thof March confirms that there will be five direct flights a weekfrom Miami to Cayman Brac. The same flight continues to GrandCayman daily except Fridays and Sundays.
With one of its equipment expected to arrivein Cayman over the next few days, and two additional crews toaugment the service being provided by First Air out of Canada,the airline expects to maintain an uninterrupted schedule in aneffort to woo back thousands of its regular passengers.
With the tremendous amount of costs involvedfor the feeding and housing of passengers whose contract (ticketed)to fly with CAL was not met, the airline will undoubtedly suffera greater operating loss than it has in previous years.
With an accumulated debt which surpassesover $50 million - including Government 'subsidies', many in thebusiness community are again questioning the necessity for Governmentto operate the airline. There is also the renewed notion thatthe country could be adequately served by other carriers, whoare willing to reduce prices, and increase their flights to andfrom the Cayman Islands.
Cayman Net News' website is being up-graded. Meantime,please stay with us daily for more HEADLINE NEWS.
Keep checking in with CAYMAN NET NEWSfirst ... for the most up-to-date Cayman Islands news - and commentaries- as it happens... when it happens.
Responses andRequests
Viewers are invited to write tous with their feedback. Community organizations are also encouraged to sendannouncements of up-coming events for publication. Send via e-mail to caymanet@candw.ky or Fax to (345) 949-0679
Service organisationsare invited to submit their events tocaymanet@candw.ky or fax number (345) 949- 0679
This Website is updatedeveryday.
Through today's technologyof the World Wide Web, atCAYMAN NET NEWS - we are ready.
© Cayman Net Ltd., publishersof the Cayman Islands Business and Tourism News. All rights reserved