U.S.V.I. authorities capture teenage fugitive who escaped custody

Monday, October 13, 2003

CHARLOTTE AMALIE, U.S. Virgin Islands: A teenager who escaped police custody this summer while awaiting trial on assault and burglary charges in St. Croix was captured by U.S.V.I. police over the weekend, AP reported last night.

Mr. Jahni Hamilton, who turned 18 when captured on Saturday, 11th October, was charged as a juvenile for allegedly assaulting and robbing a woman in February.

On 22nd August, he escaped from the Youth Rehabilitation Center by smashing a window and climbing a fence, police said, adding that they believed Mr. Hamilton received help as a fugitive from friends, as he appeared well-fed and neatly dressed when apprehended Saturday night after a man reported seeing him walking through a public housing project in northern St. Croix.

Police have charged Mr. Hamilton with escaping from custody, and said they would seek to try him as an adult on that charge, which carries a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison.

  Back...

  Most popular articles: viewed, printed and e-mailed

  Printable version