7 News Belize

Three Escapees From Wagner Youth Facility
posted (July 29, 2013)
3 inmates who escaped from the Hattieville Prison on Sunday night remain at large tonight. Just after 7 last night – while security shifts were being changed at the prison, 3 inmates managed to bound over the huge chain link fence and escaped into the night. They were later identified as 17 year old Roqael Tuil, 17 year old Hector Garcia and 19 year old Wilmer Guzman. Both minors, Tuil and Garcia are Guatemalan nationals. Armed prison guards along with police officers spend most of last night searching in the nearby bushes for the men. Today all three men are still missing and the prison is asking for the public's help in locating the fugitives. 7 news traveled to Hattieville today to see who the blame is pointed on.

Earl Jones - CEO, Kolbe Prison
"Yesterday we had reports that three inmates had escaped from the central prison - from the Juvenile Facility area of the prison. The three inmates are Roqael Tiul who was serving a five year sentence for unlicensed firearm and ammunition, he's a Guatemalan national. The second person is Hector Garcia, who is a Guatemalan as well, who is here for illegal entry - he's awaiting deportation and the third inmate is Wilmer Guzman who is from the San Juan village in the Stann Creek Valley area - he's serving a six month sentence for theft. All three made good their escape from the Wagner's Youth Facility and are said to be in a Western or Southern direction of the country - probably towards the Western border area in Belize. We're asking the public to be aware of these people and if there is any spotting of these people - they could call 610-0649 or 610-0805 or contact the nearest police station. These persons are considered dangerous, so please hitchhikers - don't attempt to pick up these people or be careful of who you are picking up. In the event that these people are spotted please make sure that you get in touch with us or the nearest police station so we can get out there and deal with these people."

Monica Bodden
"Mr. Jones, how did these prisoners manage to escape?"

Earl Jones
"We're still getting reports from the officers who were on duty at the time - whether it was a human error or whether they were over powered, we are yet to get the reports to make a final determination what went wrong and to re-evaluate what is happening in the juvenile facility there."

Reporter
"Were there clear signs? Was anything cut, anything pried open as far as you have observed?"

Earl Jones
"No, there was nothing pried open - from our preliminary investigations we found out that these guys really went over the fence and made due their escape. They didn't go through any hole or made any exit point."

Reporter
"Does that prompt you all to consider that the Wagner's Youth Facility needs some strengthening of its security features?"

Earl Jones
"Well definitely we'll be looking at that because this should not be happening and we will definitely have to re-evaluate the whole parameter security and also the internal security of that facility to see how we go from here. The Wagner's Facility holds about 77 inmates at a time - it's extremely high for the size of the facility."

17 year old Roqael Tuil is serving 5 years for kept unlicensed firearm, while 17 year old Hector Garcia was awaiting deportation for illegal entry. His pick up by authorities was schedule for this morning. And 19 year old Wilmer Guzman is serving 6 months for theft. If you know the wear-a-bouts of any of the three you are asked to contact the nearest police station or the Prison.

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