18 inmates escaped from a high security prison

La Roca prison

Last night was known the escape of eighteen dangerous criminals who escaped from the prison La Roca in Guayaquil, considered as a high security jail in Ecuador. Among the inmates who have escaped were several members of the gang “Los Choneros” and also Luis Alberto Forti, also Known as “Gordo Forti”, one of the country’s most wanted.

This morning it was confirmed that the 18 inmates took over the prison, after tying the jailers by hands and feet. Police retained fourteen prison guards of La Roca, to answer for this massive escape. Among those arrested is Javier Cevallos, director of the jail facility, which is administered by the Ministry of Interior.

The inmates made a hole in a wall at the jail, managing to flee to the river Daule shore, where a boat would have been expecting.

The  alarm was activated at 8:00pm, just after the police realized the guards  were tied up. It was initiated a combined tracking operation between elite units of the Intervention and Rescue Group (GR), Special Operations (GOE) and Armed Forces.

It was extended a security cordon surrounding all areas close to the jail, including the parishes Pascuales, La Aurora, the popular settlements of Bastion, Flor de Bastion, Paraiso de la Flor, Pancho Jacome and most counties in the province of Guayas. The escape also mobilized to bailiffs and prosecutors.

Authorities confirmed that among the escapees are members of the band “Los Choneros” and criminals that appear in the list of the most wanted Guayas and the country.