Fugitives climbed lamp and cut fence at maximum security prison, sources say

The two prisoners who escaped from the maximum security prison in Mossoró, in Rio Grande do Norte, escaped at 3:17 am, the police found. CNN . The fugitives climbed one of the lamps, gained access to the ceiling, cut the fence and jumped. Unlike the Brasília penitentiary, the Mossoró prison does not have a containment wall.

Researchers work with the possibility of human error or co-option. This is because there are still no answers as to how they crossed at least 3 doors – cell, corridor and courtyard – and how they bypassed the closed circuit TV cameras.

The Ministry of Justice suspects that work in the Federal Prison yard has reduced the security of the unit, leading to the first escape from the Federal Penitentiary System. According to members of the Ministry, due to the work, a metal detector was deactivated and prison officers were not going through the procedure, so they could enter with material that is normally prohibited.

“The structure is not simple, it even has monitoring,” said a police officer in a report reserved for the CNN . The authorities are working on a rigorous investigation of the facts to restore the credibility of the system which, in 20 years, has never recorded an escape.

The two fugitives are linked to the Red Command. When contacted, the Ministry of Justice did not comment.

Unprecedented escape

Two prisoners escaped from the Federal Penitentiary of Mossoró (RN) this Wednesday (14). The information was confirmed to CNN by members of the Federal Penitentiary System.

This is the first time in history that there has been a recorded escape from a maximum security prison. The first penitentiary in the federal system was opened in June 2006. In Brazil, there are five units. The intelligence sector identified the escape and an alert was issued to all criminal police officers. CNN found that the fugitives are linked to the Red Command.

Secretary André Garcia, from the National Secretariat of Penal Policies (Senappen) of the Ministry of Justice and Public Security, is on his way to Mossoró with members of the department. Garcia was appointed to the position last week.

The Federal Police have already been called in to capture the fugitives and investigate the responsibilities for the escape. The information at the moment is that they would be members of the Red Command. The fugitives were identified as Rogério da Silva Mendonça, alias Querubim, Chapa, Cabeça de Martelo or Martelo; and Deibson Cabral Nascimento, known as Tatu, Deisinho or Deicinho.