To Evade Justice, Fugitives From La Joyita Dye their Hair and Adjust Eyebrows
He dyed his hair to evade the authorities. Two more suspects, reported by the community, were recaptured after the reward was raised to $4,000.
Two of the men who escaped from La Joyita Penitentiary Center, identified as Ángel Javier Cárdenas De Gracia and Maykol Fernando Villarreal Pérez, who were on the country’s most wanted list, were recaptured in the La Primavera neighborhood, located in the district of Chepo, the National Police reported. Among the modifications detected by the authorities, the following stand out:
Panama National Police reported that fugitives from the June 1 mass breakout at La Joyita modified their appearances by altering hairstyles such as dying their hair, removing facial hair, adjusting eyebrows and wearing civilian clothing to evade checkpoints and blend into local communities. Out of the 195 inmates who escaped, authorities have successfully recaptured the majority, with intensive operations continuing to locate the remaining individuals at large. The recapture effort is supported by the following operational updates:
- Reward Updates: The National Police of Panama increased the reward to $4,000 for actionable information leading directly to the capture of the remaining fugitives.
- Security Adjustments: The escape prompted a massive government response, including leadership changes within the prison system’s security directorate and the transfer of high-profile inmates to high-security facilities.
- Community Watch: Law enforcement has maintained heavy patrols and rigorous checkpoints in heavily affected areas like Pacora and San Miguelito to disrupt the movement of the escapees.
