June 4, 2007 — St. Croix police are searching for 22-year-old Luis R. Torres, who escaped Sunday from Golden Grove Prison.
Attorney General Vincent Frazer confirmed reports of the escape in a news release issued Monday. Torres was discovered missing at 6:30 p.m. Sunday, according to the release.
Torres was awaiting sentencing on multiple charges when he escaped from the facility, according to Police spokeswoman Shawna Richards. She noted that police were not informed of the escape for "at least two hours."
Frazer described Torres, also known as "Puppet," as a 5-foot-7-inch Hispanic male weighing 140 pounds with black hair and brown eyes. He was detained in lieu of $75,000 bail following his May 15 arrest on charges of first-degree robbery, possession of stolen property and unauthorized use of a vehicle.
Torres is the second prisoner to escape from the facility this year. Jason “Jamako” Stephens, who was serving a 15-year jail sentence for a first-degree assault conviction, escaped Feb. 12 and was captured by police Feb. 28 when a citizen reported seeing him board a taxi bus traveling out of Christiansted. (See ""Brief: Police Apprehend Golden Grove Escapee.")
The St. Croix facility has been riddled with problems this year, including escapes, shootings, stabbings and an apparent suicide. Frazer ordered a lockdown of the prison following a Feb 28 incident where a 28-year-old inmate was arrested and charged with reckless endangerment after shooting four other prisoners. (See "Update: Suspect Arrested in Golden Grove Prison Shooting.")
On May 22, Brian Felix, an inmate serving a life sentence for the 2001 murder of 19-year-old Miguel Crispin, was found dead of an apparent suicide. Officials say he hung himself.
The following day, 23-year-old inmate Sabre Spencer was arrested on charges he stabbed another inmate with a homemade shank. His victim was treated for multiple stab wounds to the body and Spencer was charged with third-degree assault. (See "Problems at Golden Grove Prison Continue with Stabbing, Apparent Suicide.")
Frazer is asking for the public's assistance in returning Torres to prison.
"Mr. Torres is known to frequent the Williams delight area of St. Croix," Frazer said, adding that officers are actively involved in efforts to return the escapee to prison.
Anyone with information regarding Torres' whereabouts is encouraged to call the V.I. Police Department at 778-2211 or the Golden Grove Correctional facility at 778-0400.
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