By Analee Bernard, Gleaner Writer
Forbes
BLACK RIVER, St. Elizabeth:
POLICE COMMISSIONER Francis Forbes has ordered the suspension of three policemen who were detailed to guard a high-risk prisoner who escaped Monday afternoon from the Black River Hospital, St. Elizabeth, sources told The Gleaner.
The Commissioner's directive comes as Internal Affairs Division detectives continue their investigation of the incident.
Allegations are that about 1.30 p.m. on Monday, the prisoner, Andrew Senior, asked to use the bathroom at the hospital.
According to information reaching The Gleaner, Senior went into the staff bathroom at the hospital, pulled the shower curtain to block the view of the guard, tore open the mesh at the window and escaped through the back of the building.
A Jamaica Defence Force helicopter was sent to the area to assist the police with the search for him but the search proved futile.
A senior police officer said that at the time of the escape three policemen who were supposed to be guarding the prisoner, were standing in a passage near the entrance to the ward.
The Gleaner understands that about a week before Senior's escape, officers at CIB Headquarters, downtown Kingston, warned their colleagues in St. Elizabeth that Senior was a high-risk prisoner and was "very dangerous".
Deputy Supt. Lloyd Haley, head of the Internal Affairs Division, contacted late yesterday, said his team of detectives arrived in the parish late yesterday and was still investigating.
Senior, who is from west Kingston, was shot and injured by the police on April 19 in Southfield, St. Elizabeth, and a Glock 9 mm pistol and 43 rounds of ammunition taken from him.
He was held when the police spotted that the vehicle he was driving had been reported stolen.
Senior was on the "most wanted" list of the St. Andrew North police. Prior to his arrest, it is alleged that he was involved in a shooting incident which occurred in the Grants Pen area of St. Andrew.
He is also wanted in connection with several crimes including armed robbery and shooting with intent committed islandwide, the police said.
Supt. Herman Brown, head of the St. Elizabeth Police Division, was tight-lipped about the circumstances of the prisoner's escape. "I have no comment at this time," said Supt. Brown when he was contacted.
