A prisoner with 38 pending matters for kidnapping and robbery escaped from the Mayaro Magistrates Court yesterday morning.Up to late yesterday police were still searching for Azmon Alexander, 31, whom they described as dangerous.His last known address was Ackbarali Street, Malabar.The prisoner escaped around 10 am after he appeared before Senior Magistrate Gail Gonzales and was remanded into custody.He has been in custody for approximately two years awaiting trial.
Alexander was being escorted by two police officers, a constable and an acting corporal, back to the station to await transportation to the prison. He was handcuffed to another prisoner.As they got to the court entrance, Alexander managed to slip his hand out of the handcuffs, pushed down the two officers and escaped.
Police cordoned off the Mafeking area after he was seen near a river there. Up to late last evening police from the Eastern Division Task Force, Canine Unit, assisted by the national security helicopter, were still searching for him.The incident has brought into question the level of security at the courthouse, whether there was a lapse and whether there was a need for improvement, said a senior police officer.Snr Supt Othneil Williams of the Eastern Police Division was heading the search and could not be reached for comment.
Investigations are continuing.
–with reporting by Alana Boodoo-Suraj