Prisoner plucked from Caparo River

A 30-year-old prisoner who hit a police officer in the face and made a short dash for freedom, was recaptured while hiding under branches in the Caparo River yesterday.

Corey Bledman alias “Yankee” of Enterprise Village, Chaguanas, appeared before Chaguanas Magis-trate Nanette Forde John yesterday on charges of robbery. While being taken back to the cells, Bledman asked a court and process police officer to take him to the nearby toilet. The prisoner reportedly hit the police officer in the face and made a dash for freedom. He ran along Railway Road and then made his way into the Caparo River. A party of officers led by ASP Millette, Inspectors Raphael, Clarke, Ag Sgt Ajith Persad, Cpl Aguilerra, PC Dhanai and others cordoned off certain areas at Woodford Lodge. Canefields in the area were set on fire as the search for Bledman continued. The National Security helicopter also joined in the search, but the escaped prisoner was nowhere to be found.

The police activities attracted scores of villagers who also assisted in the search. Police officers then moved their search to the banks of the Caparo River. PC Billy Dhanai spotted something moving inside the river. He made a check and saw the suspect clad in a black pants, barebacked and concealed under branches. The startled man was plucked from the river and taken to the Chaguanas Police Station. He reportedly told officers that he wanted freedom. Bledman has several previous convictions for robberies and has ten matters pending at the Chaguanas Magistrates’ Court for robberies and two counts of kidnappings. He is expected to be charged with escaping legal custody and assaulting a police officer. Officers who recaptured Bled-man were praised for their keen sense of observation which led to the capture.