Colón, Panama – National Police forces have recaptured 11 of 12 individuals who escaped from the Basilio Lakas Juvenile Custody and Compliance Center in Colón province on Saturday afternoon. The mass escape occurred when the inmates, who were performing cleaning duties outside the facility’s perimeter, assaulted a guard and fled into surrounding areas.
According to National Police Subcommissioner Javier Batista, the group of escapees consisted of eight minors and four adults. One adult remains at large following a massive police operation that involved 46 street officers, canine units, and drone surveillance. The fugitive still being sought is serving a sentence for homicide and attempted homicide, charges shared by several of the recaptured individuals.
Massive Manhunt Launched in Colón Province
The escape triggered an immediate alert from facility guards, prompting police to deploy extensive resources across the María Chiquita district and surrounding regions. Authorities confirmed that search operations continue in nearby sectors including Río Alejandro and areas of Costa Arriba de Colón.
We immediately activated the alert protocol, which led to the deployment of a massive police operation, said Subcommissioner Javier Batista [Translated from Spanish].
Police located and apprehended the 11 recaptured inmates in wooded zones near the detention facility. The Basilio Lakas center houses both juvenile and adult offenders, though specific details about the facility’s security protocols during external work assignments remain under investigation.
Ongoing Search for Remaining Fugitive
Law enforcement officials maintain active operations in the region as they continue searching for the remaining escapee. The use of specialized units and aerial surveillance demonstrates the seriousness with which authorities are treating the security breach.
Subcommissioner Batista emphasized that police resources remain fully deployed until all individuals are accounted for. The incident raises questions about security measures at juvenile detention facilities, particularly during external work assignments where inmates interact with areas beyond secured perimeters.
For more information about Panama’s National Police operations, visit the official National Police website.
The Basilio Lakas Juvenile Custody and Compliance Center falls under the jurisdiction of Panama’s Ministry of Government, which oversees the country’s correctional facilities and detention centers.