An inmate from the Tenerife II Penitentiary Centre escaped yesterday (Sunday), after taking advantage of a visit to the Hospital de la Candelaria to receive medical treatment, by jumping a wall and fleeing from the police.
The escape took place just after midday yesterday, when the prisoner was taken to a private part of the hospital by members of the Guardia Civil in order to have an arm X-rayed due to an injury.
According to the police press release, the man’s suspected injury prevented the use of the usual handcuffs, which were replaced by straps instead. This helped the prisoner who, after managing to get out of them, escape the guards, jump a wall which was several metres high, and flee from the police.
The subsequent deployment to track down the fugitive, in which the National and Local Police took part in, weren’t able to find him. Apparently, the Guardia Civil did not have reinforcements to prevent the escape as none of their colleagues were available at that time.
As for the identity of the fugitive, it is reported that he was convicted of committing a crime of armed robbery, and that he has a very characteristic appearance with very recognisable tattoos, some of which are on his face.
The search for him is ongoing by the security forces that are collaborating with all available resources to locate him as soon as possible, and have made a request to the public to contact them if they have any information on his whereabouts.