Fugitive wanted for escape in 2024 recaptured in Region Seven with ganja after assault incident

Elijah Batista Clarke, a wanted fugitive who had escaped from lawful custody in July 2024, was arrested in Region Seven by police ranks investigating a separate incident of unlawful wounding.

Clarke, a miner, had been on the run since escaping from the Vigilance Police Station on July 24, 2024. His arrest came nearly a year later during an investigation into an alleged assault on a Venezuelan national at Sandhill Backdam in the Cuyuni-Mazaruni Region.

According to police, Clarke was apprehended on June 16, 2025, after officers responded to a report involving the alleged unlawful wounding of Mariana Sanchez, a 30-year-old Venezuelan cook who resides in Ciudad Bolivar, Venezuela, and also at Sandhill Backdam.

Investigations revealed that the incident occurred around 03:30 hrs at Sandhill Landing. Sanchez and her male companion—an unidentified Guyanese Amerindian—were heading to her room when Clarke, reportedly intoxicated, approached them and demanded $15,000 in Guyana currency from the male companion. Upon refusal, Clarke allegedly punched the man several times in the face.

When Sanchez intervened, Clarke armed himself with a bottle and struck her multiple times to the head and face, causing visible injuries. Although public-spirited citizens initially restrained Clarke, he managed to flee into nearby bushes.

Later that day, at approximately 13:00 hrs, police ranks on their way to the scene observed Clarke walking in the Sandhill area with a multi-coloured haversack. Upon seeing the ranks, he attempted to escape but was quickly pursued and arrested.

A search of the haversack revealed a small white plastic bag containing 24 ziplock parcels of leaves, seeds, and stems suspected to be marijuana. The narcotics were seized, and Clarke was taken into custody.

The victim later positively identified Clarke as her attacker and confirmed that nothing was stolen during the altercation.

Clarke was escorted to the Bartica Police Station, where the suspected marijuana was weighed in his presence and amounted to 27.5 grams.

Further checks confirmed that Clarke was the subject of an active Wanted Bulletin for escaping from the Vigilance Police Station last year. He remains in custody at the Bartica Police Station as investigations continue.