Ramon Selva

AN island-wide manhunt was underway on Monday in New Providence for a 20-year-old suspect who escaped from lawful custody on Sunday.

Ramon Selva, who was being held at the Wulff Road police station prior to his escape, was being questioned in reference to alleged possession of an unlicensed firearm.

Details of how he escaped, however, were not disclosed. Police did not reveal that the suspect had escaped until 6:21pm on Monday in a press release.

When contacted, Chief Superintendent Clayton Fernander yesterday urged the suspect - described as a slim built, 5ft 9in to 5ft 11in, dark brown-skinned male - to turn himself in.

The head of the Central Detective Unit urged the suspect’s relatives not to harbour him.

Police urged members of the public not to approach the suspect but instead to call 919 or Crime Stoppers at 328-TIPS (8477) if he is seen as he is considered to be armed and dangerous.

Selva's is the latest escape from police custody this year.

In May, a 21-year-old man got away from a police transport vehicle on Wulff Road near Claridge Road around 4pm en route to the Bahamas Department of Correctional Services (BDCS).

Police reported immediately that a search was being conducted for an “armed and dangerous” convict.

The escapee, within five hours of the incident, was arrested off Farrington Road by officers from the Selective Enforcement Team that involved officers and dogs.

Jason Rolle pleaded not guilty to the charge when arraigned and will stand trial on July 13. He could face up to two years imprisonment if convicted at trial.

In February, police searched for two weeks before recapturing convicted murderer Ormand Leon, who had escaped from a police bus that was taking prisoners from the courts to the BDCS on February 2.

Leon escaped from the bus on York Street, off East Bay Street, after leaving a Supreme Court hearing at which he was told he would be sentenced for murder in two weeks.

He was captured by officers at a home in bushes on Fire Trail Road in southwest New Providence after being on the run for two weeks. On February 17, Leon was sentenced to 41 years, six months, two weeks and one day.

When arraigned on an escape charge, he pleaded guilty and was also sentenced to 24 months in prison to run concurrently with his other sentence.

The results of a police investigation into how the 26-year-old convict escaped have yet to be released.

A week after his escape, Commissioner of Police Ellison Greenslade said the Royal Bahamas Police Force was “looking into new devices to use” for transporting prisoners to and from the BDCS.

By Lamech Johnson, Tribune Staff Reporter

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