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by pltm
(PLTM) - Three of the over 100 prisoners who escaped from Her Majesty's Prison at Balsam Ghut, following the passage of Hurricane Irma, remain at large.
On Friday afternoon, October 27, police named the three persons as Dominican Republic native Santo Hernandez, who is charged with the murder of Alston Penn; USVI resident, Jose Almestica; and Kareem Hodge of the USA.
Following Hurricane Irma, all 150 prisoners escaped the prison compound; however, most of them returned on their own free will, while with the assistance from the United Kingdom (UK) armed forces, local police recaptured a number of inmates.
Twenty high profile inmates have also been transferred to St. Lucia prison and are expected to return by June of next year.
Police have asked anyone knowing the whereabouts of Almestica, Hodge or Hernandez to call the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force through its emergency numbers at 344-1818, 344-1822, 344-1977, 545-4866, 468-9001 or 468-9000.
Almestica, of St. Thomas, is described as 5ft 11’; complexion brown; medium built; weight 200-220lbs. Hodge, of the USA, is described as 5ft 6'; complexion brown; slim; and weight 160-190lbs.
Hernandez of the Dominican Republic is described as brown skin, medium built with a weight of 200-220lbs.
Penn was found dead in a pool of blood in the Windy Hill area on Tortola on March 10 of this year.
Almestica was housed at the Balsam Ghut penitentiary in relation to the 2016 case involving unlawful possession of a firearm and ammunition, and possession of over $49,000.
Hodge was charged in connection with a bust at the Terrence B. Lettsome International Airport in June of this year, where four kilograms of cocaine was found in his luggage.
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