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Escaped Robbery Suspect Back in Custody

Aug. 27, 2007 — After escaping from the custody of Bureau of Corrections guards nearly 20 days ago, Santo Domingo native Yokaury Torres has been captured and sent to prison.
Torres was captured at approximately 7:45 p.m. Sunday night in the Christiansted town area, according to Attorney General Vincent Frazer.
“We’ve been searching for him all over,” Frazer said in a telephone interview Monday evening. The capture was a result of a joint operation that included the Department of Justice special investigation team, the V.I. Police Department and the Bureau of Corrections.
Torres escaped Aug. 8 while being transported to the Golden Grove Adult Correctional Facility after a court appearance. While exiting the transport van near the correctional facility, Torres evaded guards and ran into an overgrown area.
Elvis Espinal, also a native of Santo Domingo, harbored Torres while he was being sought by corrections officials, Frazer said. Espinal is in custody and has been charged with assisting a felon and accessory to an escaped person.
Police initially charged Torres with negligent driving, hit and run, leaving the scene of an accident and driving a vehicle without a valid driver’s license and insurance. At the time of his arrest on July 21 he was out on bail on robbery charges. Since his recapture, Torres faces an additional charge of escape from custody.
An internal investigation will determine the cause of the escape, Frazer said. “I’m waiting to get the preliminary report,” he said. As a result of Torres’ escape, the Corrections Bureau has instituted a policy that all prisoners must be shackled during transport.
Torres appeared in court after his recapture in handcuffs and with shackles around his ankles, Frazer said.
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