POLICE arrested nearly 20 people between Wednesday and Thursday for “assisting and providing shelter” for convicted murderer Ormand Leon, according to Senior Assistant Commissioner of Police Leon Bethel.

ACP Bethel told The Tribune that the Royal Bahamas Police Force has doubled efforts to find the escaped convict.

According to police, 26-year-old Leon escaped from a police transport vehicle on York Street, off East Bay Street, while en route to the Bahamas Department of Correctional Services around noon on Tuesday. ACP Bethel said the massive manhunt for this “armed and dangerous man” continues, but officers’ efforts are being hampered by some members of the public assisting the convict.

“We have arrested several persons and released some for aiding and helping this murderer,” ACP Bethel said. “I am not sure of the exact number but I know it is more than 20 persons. We want people to know that we aren’t coming friendly if we suspect you have been helping Ormand. We aren’t coming to pat you on the back, we are coming to arrest you and haul you before the courts.”

“This man is a (convicted) criminal and he is dangerous and we need to remind the public of that. We aren’t guessing, he is not a suspect, he has been convicted and we are taking his freedom serious and do all we can to bring him to justice. So we are asking members of the public to continue to support us.

“Today we doubled the number of persons on the streets. We have done our intelligence work and we know who aided him, not in the escape but in his movement in an attempt to elude police capture. We are coming for those persons and we will take them before the courts.”

Leon is a brown-skinned male, of slim build, who is said to be about 5ft 9in to 5ft 11in. Police said he frequents Moore Avenue, Homestead Street and Miami Street. He was last seen wearing a white T-shirt and blue jeans.

Shortly before the escape, Leon was in the Supreme Court for a sentencing hearing for the July 10, 2011 murder of Fransisco Hanna. That matter has been adjourned to February 16.

Leon is facing up to 60 years imprisonment for the Wilson Tract shooting. Hanna was shot twice in the chest and three times in his right arm. He died of his injuries at the scene.

Police urged members of the public not to approach Leon, but instead to call 919 or Crime Stoppers at 328-TIPS (8477) if he is seen.

By SANCHESKA BROWN

Convicted murderer Ormand Leon

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