By Alicia Chamely

AMID the State of Emergency (SoE), a convict detained at the Gold Grove Prison has escaped and a search is underway.

In a release from the Trinidad and Tobago Prison Services, Abraham Briggs ,32, escaped custody around 5 pm. He was working at the Youth Training Rehabilitation Centre (YTC).

The release stated, “An alarm was raised and officers attached to the Emergency Response Unit responded. The Arouca Police were also contacted, and a search is currently underway for Briggs, in all the surrounding areas.”

Briggs, who is to be considered armed and dangerous, was serving a six-year sentence for Robbery with Aggravation. He was expected to be released in March 2029.

He is of a brown complexion and muscularly built. He has a tattoo “KAB” on his lower right arm, a “peace” symbol on his left hand, and a long scar on his left foot.

Briggs last known address is 67 Brooklyn Bridge Road Settlement, Sangre Grande.

Anyone who may have information about Briggs is asked to contact the nearest police station, call 999, or contact the Prison Service at 623-7070 or 800 PRSN (7776).

On Friday 18 July, a SoE was placed into effect by President Christine Kangaloo, after the action was recommended by Commissioner of Police Alister Guevarro.

At a press conference Guevarro stated a report had come to him detailing the plans of a high organised crime syndicate working with the prisons. He said according to intelligence acts of violence and kidnappings were being planned, as well as assassinations of high-ranking members of the justice system.

Attempts to reach Guevarro for comment on the escape of Briggs were unsuccessful.