Less than 24 hours after he was arrested for assisting three prisoners during their daring escape from the Port-of-Spain prison last Friday, an Aranguez man was released by police pending further investigations.
According to reports, the 38-year-old suspect was released from the Central Police Station, St Vincent Street, Port-of-Spain, yesterday after he was questioned by police investigating the escape. Police sources say the suspect may be re-arrested as police reach further in their investigation.
The suspect, who was being sought by police hours after the escape, was detained by Guard and Emergency Branch officers at a mosque in Enterprise, Chaguanas, on Wednesday.
Police believe he may have assisted the prisoners by providing the Nissan Navara which they used as a getaway vehicle.
Meanwhile, Christopher “Monster” Selby, the only surviving member of the trio who committed the well-orchestrated prison break, is expected to be charged with several offences related to the incident by today.
The T&T Guardian understands that investigators visited the Office of Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) yesterday to seek advice.
Police were said to be considering charging Selby with the murder of PC Sherman Maynard, who was shot dead as the prisoners were making their escape, as well as for escaping lawful custody and for possession of an explosive device—a hand grenade—that was recovered outside the Frederick Street prison. No charges were laid up to late yesterday.
Selby, Hassan Atwell and Allan “Scanny” Martin escaped from the prison around midday last Friday. Armed with firearms and a hand grenade, the men reportedly shot at a passing police patrol. PC Sherman Maynard was struck twice and died from his injuries.
The prisoners, who were on remand for separate crimes, crashed their getaway vehicle near the Port-of-Spain General Hospital and attempted to escape on foot.
Martin, one of 12 men on trial for the murder of businesswoman Vindra Naipaul-Coolman, was cornered by police in a security guard booth at the hospital.
He was killed in an exchange of gunfire with police.
On Sunday, Atwell was found murdered in East Dry River. Hours later, Selby surrendered at the Barataria Police Station. Investigations are continuing. See Page A7