A Portuguese prison escapee has been apprehended in Morocco, but a British inmate deemed “very dangerous” is still on the loose, according to reports from The Independent. The British fugitive, Mark Cameron Roscaleer, 39, had been serving a nine-year sentence at the Vale de Jedeus jail for charges including kidnap and robbery. He was part of a group of five prisoners who orchestrated a daring escape from the high-security facility near Lisbon.
While the whereabouts of the other four escapees remain unknown, Moroccan authorities successfully captured Fabio Loureiro, 33, in Tangier on Sunday. Loureiro is set to face legal proceedings in Morocco before being extradited to Portugal where he is facing a 25-year prison term for various crimes such as armed robbery, drug trafficking, and extortion.
The escape took place on September 7 when the inmates took advantage of a lapse in security during visiting hours. With the help of an accomplice who provided a ladder, the prisoners managed to flee the Vale de Judeus prison. The remaining fugitives include Fernando Ferreira, 61, Rodolf Lohrmann, 59, and Shergili Farjiani, 42, who were serving time for offences like drug trafficking, kidnapping, and money laundering.
President of the National Union of Prison Guards, Frederico Morais, has cautioned the public against approaching Roscaleer and the other escapees, describing them as dangerous individuals. Commenting on the escape, Luis Neves, the national director of the Judicial Police, remarked that the break was meticulously planned and posed a serious risk to public safety.
In light of this incident, concerns have been raised about the security measures at Vale de Judeus prison. The prison guards’ union has been highlighting staffing shortages and lax security protocols at the facility, especially following the removal of watchtowers in favour of video surveillance.
The escape of the prisoners has raised significant alarm, with authorities intensifying efforts to locate the remaining fugitives. With one escapee in custody, the search continues for the British national and the other three individuals who are still at-large.