Ex-cop remanded for allegedly harbouring Camp Street escapees

Former policeman, Teon Allen, 31, appeared before Magistrate Clive Nurse on Tuesday at the Linden Magistrate’s Court, charged with harbouring wanted men – Mark Royden Williams and Uree Varswyck – who broke out of the Camp Street Prison on July 9, 2017.

Allen of Lobora Creek, Essequibo River, pleaded not guilty to the charge, which alleged that between July 9, 2017 and July 23, 2017 in the Upper Demerara Magisterial District, did receive, relief, comfort, assist and maintain Williams and Varswyck.

He was remanded to prison and is scheduled to re-appear in court on September 28, 2017. News Room first reported that Allen reportedly confessed to detectives of the Major Crimes Unit that he provided meals and transportation to the two wanted men following their break out from the prison.

Allen reportedly told the detectives that he moved Varswyck and Williams from one location to another. Williams was on death row for the Bartica Massacre while Varswyck, who is also a former cop, was on remand for murder. The two are said to be the masterminds behind the Camp Street prison unrest, which left a prison officer dead and the buildings completely burnt.

The News Room understands that Allen was arrested last week, after police received information that he was seen in the presence of the wanted criminals. The police source also confirmed that Varswyck and Allen were “squaddies” during their time in the police force.

On January 26, Allen and two other men were charged with the illegal possession of an AK-47 and matching ammunition. It was reported that on January 22 at John Street Campbellville, Georgetown the police swooped down on the location and carried out a search when they found an AK-47 assault weapon, 80 rounds of live ammunition and a 9mm pistol.

There is currently a $10M reward being offered by the Guyana Police Force for information that will lead to the capture of Royden Williams aka “Smallie”, Uree Varswyke aka Malcolm Gordon and Cobena Stephens aka OJ of Lot 82, Gope Street, Middle Walk, Buxton, East Coast Demerara, who escaped from the Camp Street Prisons during the recent unrest.

Also wanted is Paul Goriah who escaped from the Lusignan holding facility.