PRF will use helicopter to help search for federal prison escapees

The Federal Highway Police (PRF) was called to help capture the two prisoners who escaped this Wednesday morning (14) from the Federal Penitentiary of Mossoró (RN).

The aircraft will fly over highways throughout Natal and within a radius of 250 kilometers, which is the distance from the prison to the state capital.

The helicopter was moved from the PRF base in Recife (PE) to the neighboring state for support.

The Ministry of Justice, responsible for Brazil's five federal prisons, reported that the Federal Police are also assisting in the investigation to find out who was responsible for the escape.

The suspicion is that the fugitives climbed a lamp and cut the fence of the maximum security prison.

The PF opened an investigation this afternoon and the state's Integrated Force to Combat Organized Crime (Ficco) was called. State and federal security forces are part of it.

Unprecedented escape

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.

A CNN found that the fugitives are linked to the Red Command. They 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.

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