Law enforcement officials have confirmed that notorious criminal Royden Williams, called “Smallie”, who was recaptured on Monday, was planning to skip the country.
Williams, also known as Mark Royden Durant, was travelling in a public minibus when Police stopped the vehicle and conducted a search at Weldaad, West Coast Berbice.
Members of the media were told on Wednesday during a press conference at the Public Security Ministry that the Police had gathered intelligence that assisted with the recapture of Williams.
Acting Police Commissioner David Ramnarine revealed that Williams was becoming increasingly desperate a few weeks before his recapture and Police had to dismantle his support base.
“In pretty quick time, he was virtually left alone. But he was still in contact with someone from his support base, which we had destroyed. And the indications were the move to exit,” he explained.
The acting Top Cop also revealed that those who happened to have provided assistance to Williams, including members of his family, were charged accordingly. He said no one was spared.
“I remember from some of the calls I received from the corporate community, expressing concerns about the fact that these guys were still out there and we were taking a bit long to apprehend them. But it has paid off and thankfully by the grace of God … due to our hard efforts, we have not had such an experience,” the acting Top Cop said.
Ramnarine believes the mere fact that the Police were not keen on providing detailed information on the investigation and operation to recapture the prison escapees also contributed to the success. “It was an absolute need, for security reasons not to disclose some of the things we were doing,” he added.
Asked by the media whether any reward would be given to those that have assisted the Police in finding Williams and other prisoners who formed part of the escapee list, Public Security Minister Khemraj Ramjattan said that the matter would be looked into and compensation would be given where due.
The Police have said that Williams would be charged for escaping prison and since his recapture, he has been placed in solitary confinement. They have given all assurances that the notorious criminal would not be allowed the slightest opportunity to escape prison for a second time.
Williams escaped from the Camp Street Prison on July 9, 2017. He is believed to be the mastermind behind the prison riot and fire that facilitated the escape. He was last spotted on August 31, 2017, in Linden.
Williams was in the company of Uree Varswyck, another prison escapee, who was shot dead during a Joint Services intelligence-led operation at Central Amelia’s Ward, Linden. According to a Police statement, Williams managed to escape on foot.
Williams was on death row for the Bartica Massacre.
Meanwhile, still on the run are murder accused; Paul Goriah and Cobena Stephens- both of whom Ramnarine has vowed will be back in lawful custody soon, as the police intend to intensify their efforts to recapture them.
