Police  step up search in jail area for escaped killer

Operations to recapture escaped multi-killer Gilberto Ventura Ceballos have intensified in sectors near the La Nueva Joya  Prison in Pacora which he exited on Monday, Febr3uary with the alleged connivance of police staff.

 National Police director, Jorge Miranda, said on Friday that they have made that decision because they have information that Ventura Ceballos with a $30,000 reward on his head is hiding in the area.

In addition, the fugitive could have help from some people to hide in the area near the prison, in the Pacora district.

Miranda said that the knowledge of the authorities is that Ventura Ceballos has not left the country.

Ventura Ceballos was sentenced to 50 years in prison for the kidnapping and murder of five university students in La Chorrera between 2010 and 2011 and an additional 5 years dor a previous escape.

According to preliminary investigations, the fugitive jumped the fences of the prison and escaped the night of Monday, February 3.

The first time he escaped from La Joyita was on December 28, 2016. He was recaptured in Costa Rica in September 2017.

In 2018, the fugitive was sentenced to 50 years in prison for the kidnapping and killing of five university students from La Chorrera, between 2010 and 2011.