Alleged Robber Escapes Police Custody After Clarendon Supermarket Robbery

Kingston, Jamaica — One of the four men involved in a dramatic robbery attempt and subsequent live-streaming incident on TikTok has escaped from police custody, the authorities confirmed.

The individual, whose name is being withheld as it is unclear if he has been formally charged, was being treated for injuries at the Kingston Public Hospital. Police reports state that the injuries were sustained during an exchange of gunfire with law enforcement officers during an attempted robbery at a supermarket in Spalding, Clarendon.

According to Senior Superintendent Michael Phipps, head of the Kingston Western Police Division, the man escaped through a bathroom window while under police guard.

“We are not sure, exactly, of all the circumstances surrounding it. The officers are saying he requested to use the restroom and used the opportunity to go through the window,” Phipps told The Gleaner on Tuesday.

The Police High Command has since launched an internal investigation to determine accountability and possible disciplinary actions against those responsible for guarding the suspect.

“The investigation is ongoing, and whatsoever action is to be taken will be taken,” Phipps assured.

The escapee is one of four men who, on December 8, were allegedly part of a group attempting to rob a supermarket in Spalding. As the police closed in, the men locked themselves in the storeroom, leading to a tense stand-off with law enforcement.

In a twist that captured national attention, at least one of the alleged robbers began live-streaming on TikTok from the handle @red_one766. The video, which quickly went viral, showed the men pleading with the police to spare their lives.

A manhunt is now underway to recapture the escaped suspect. Law enforcement officials have not disclosed specific details of their search efforts but have emphasized that they are working diligently to locate him.

The incident has sparked widespread public concern about police procedures, particularly the measures in place for guarding suspects under treatment. It has also reignited conversations about the use of social media in criminal activities, given the audacity of the suspects to stream live during a criminal standoff.

As investigations continue, the authorities are appealing to anyone with information about the suspect’s whereabouts to contact the police.