Constant Spring Police Station in St Andrew. Nine men escaped from the station's lock-up early Tuesday morning. Photo: Joseph Wellington

On one hand they are fearful because they do not know where the escapees could be hiding. They also expressed fear that police operations to recapture the escapees could restrict free movement throughout the community.

“Mi feel unsafe. I hear seh some a them could be murderers too. If one come out, you must see the rest a come out, that is carelessness. I bet you there will be a curfew in the area. We don’t want that,” one female resident said.

“We are afraid. Look how much a dem escape. We a woman and they are alleged criminals. I hope they find them early, although man and police a friend still,” she said.

Her neighbour, who said that she was fearful because no one knew where the escapees were hiding, demanded that a thorough investigation be conducted at the station and with those who were on duty at the time of the jailbreak.

“Over there should be under investigation. How could so many of them escape? Somebody must have let them go. How eight man must escape from Constant Spring lock-up? Not even one or two?” the woman asked in obvious disbelief.

One of the nine who escaped early Tuesday morning was subsequently recaptured in a section of Cassava Piece, residents claimed.

Those still on the run up to press time Tuesday night are 19-year-old Alunzo Espute of a Cassava Piece, Kingston 8 address; 27-year-old Brandon Ennis; 23-year-old Tarik Chambers; 25-year-old Donque Douglas; 18-year-old Fray Messias; 19-year-old Richard Bishop; 31-year-old Junior Anthony Barnes; and 25-year-old Kamal Kelly.

Police say their offences include murder, rape, possession of prohibited weapon, identity theft, wounding with intent, shooting with intent, malicious destruction of property, burglary, larceny, and possession of prohibited weapon and unauthorised ammunition.

Observer sources shared that the escapee who was allegedly found at a location in Cassava Piece was taken back into custody, while the people who were at the premises with him were taken in for processing.

“The one who escaped, they found him in bed lay dung ’round deh. The police left with some youths because they were at the yard and they didn’t have any ID,” one woman claimed.

Tuesday afternoon, the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) confirmed on its Instagram account that nine inmates escaped and that one had been recaptured.

“The prisoners escaped by cutting their way through a grille and a door made of metal. Immediate resources have been put in place to recapture the remaining escapees. Resources have been deployed islandwide to support the recapture of these individuals. The JCF is treating this matter with the highest level of urgency and all assets are being utilised to return these individuals to custody as swiftly as possible,” the JCF post read.

Cops also issued an appeal to the public who may have information on the whereabouts of the escapees to contact the Constant Spring police at 876-924-1421, Police 119 emergency number, and Crime Stop at 311.