Lopinot residents recapture prison escapee

HOURS after he allegedly escaped from the Golden Grove Prison, an Arima man was recaptured by residents of Lopinot and is facing additional jail time if convicted.

According to prison reports, Siew Persad, alias "Ramdass," of Blanchisseuse Road, Arima, was recaptured around 4 pm on Friday. The convicted chicken thief allegedly escaped from the prison on Friday morning while he and other inmates were at the southeastern side of the prison tending the prison's garden. Persad was absent when prison officers took a headcount around 9 am.

Police said Persad was recaptured in Lopinot and will be charged with escaping lawful custody.

Last December, Persad was sentenced to one year's imprisonment after he pleaded guilty to stealing chickens from a farmer.

The escape happened just a day after the Prison Officers Association complained that there is no working alarm system at the prison. On Thursday, president of the association Ceron Richards said the Maximum Security Prison has been without an alarm system for years.