While the police and other arms of the protective services continue their search for escaped murder accused Sheldon Thomas, five other men are expected to appear in court today charged with escaping lawful custody, after they fled the St Ann’s Hospital along with Thomas but were later recaptured last week.
According to senior police sources, the five are expected to appear before a Port-of-Spain magistrate today. Kyron Lewis, Maikie Hendrickson, Gabriel Solomon, Michael Thomas and Andre Harvey were all recaptured or surrendered Tuesday.
Two of the five recaptured escapees were held in south Trinidad, one was returned by relatives who did not want any harm to come to him; one was held outside the walls of St Ann’s Hospital and another was held around the Queen’s Park Savannah.
Lewis was held by Guard and Emergency Branch officers, Hendrickson was held in Rio Claro by officers of the Rio Claro station and Solomon was nabbed by officers from the Siparia station. Michael Thomas was returned by relatives to the institution and Harvey was held on the compound.
According to police, Thomas was among six inmates who escaped from the hospital’s Forensic Ward between midnight and 2 am Tuesday by cutting through the burglar proofing of Ward 27.
Thomas was referred to the hospital on March 7 for observation, based on an order issued by a judge of the High Court. He had been on remand since being charged with the murder of Anthony Lemessy, of Plaisance, Mayaro, on August 19, 2004. Thomas, 31, had last known addresses at Upper L’Anse Mitan, Carenage, and Upper Haig Street, Carenage.
Since the escape, the area that houses the 40 inmates was given an additional security guard, taking to five the number of officers guarding those accused of criminal activities and who were suspected of being mentally ill. A dog was also added to the security detail and the burglar proofing was reinforced the T&T Guardian was told.