JCF Release About Escapee Ricardo Richards

Ricardo Richards

March 12, 2020 – The Police are advising persons that 31-year-old Ricardo Richards of Dirt Road, Bull Bay, St. Andrew, who escaped custody while being treated at the National Chest Hospital on Friday, March 12, is still at large.

 

The Police are also aware of images and other information circulating on social media which indicate that he has been captured or fatally shot. This information is false and persons are advised to desist from sharing these, this is creating confusion for members of the public.

 

Meanwhile, persons with information that can assist the police to recapture Richards are being asked to contact the police 119 emergency number, Crime Stop or the nearest police station. Richards was being held on charges of Murder, Illegal Possession of Firearm and Ammunition and Shooting with Intent.

Note: The police cannot stop persons from sending around messages which I know is creating confusion. The police therefore need to device a plan so that persons get information as it happens. There has been a strong demand for information about this escapee especially since the escape happened in an area that is very populated. Persons are not only paranoid about Covid-19 but also about the level of crime in Jamaica at this time. 

I am also very disappointed at the quality of escapee's picture that has been sent out.

We need to know if the prisoner was handcuffed and if not why? It should be known that when prisoners are being taken to the hospital, it will be an opportune time to escape. What precautions were put in place to mitigate against this.

How many other police officers were there guarding this prisoner? More information is needed or else the rumours will circulate and the only way to minimize this is to get the full and true information out.