No menu items!

COSTA RICA'S LEADING ENGLISH LANGUAGE NEWSPAPER

HomeArchivePolice Capture Last Fugitive From La Reforma Escape

Police Capture Last Fugitive From La Reforma Escape

The only fugitive still at large from a group of eight convicts who escaped from La Reforma prison Oct. 9 was arrested Friday in Dominical, on the southern Pacific coast, according to a statement from the Public Security Ministry.

Rafael Angel Herrera, known as “Rafa Loco,” 54, was riding a motorcycle in the Dominical, the statement said. Although he had dyed his hair and changed his appearance, police recognized him.When they approached him, he did not put up any resistance and admitted he was the man they were looking for.

Herrera was arrested and will continue serving a 45-year sentence for various crimes including rape, robbery and assault, the statement said.

All the other fugitives who broke out of La Reforma prison in Alajuela, northwest of San José, Oct. 9 have been captured except for one who was killed by police. Four of the fugitives, Johel Guillermo Araya, Alberto Martínez, Johnny Rodríguez and Freddy García –were found in a house in Guácimo, on the Caribbean slope, Oct. 24. García was killed in a shootout with police.

Another of the fugitives, Robert Clark, was arrested two days earlier at the annual Carnival festivities in the Caribbean port town of Limón (TT, Oct. 27), and escapee Victor Urbina surrendered to police Oct. 26 in Tres Rios, east of San José (TT, Nov. 3).

Most recently, Douglas Quirós, 48, was found Nov. 4 hiding out in Cartago, east of San José (TT, Nov. 10).

 

Trending Now

Costa Rica drug violence drives killings as election nears

Mauren Jiménez cleans houses and cares for sick patients to make ends meet. In her spare time, the 54-year-old community leader does work most...

Russian Family Deported from US Faces Ongoing Uncertainty in Costa Rica

A Russian family sent from the United States to Costa Rica under shifting U.S. immigration rules continues to navigate legal and personal challenges almost...

Costa Rica election 2026 hinges on security, prisons, and Chaves legacy

Costa Ricans elect a president this Sunday, with ruling-party candidate Laura Fernández the clear favorite, buoyed by promises of a tough crackdown on crime...

Costa Ricans Keep Election Ballots at Home in Rare Trust Based Voting System

In her living room, Priscilla Herrera safeguards, alongside Vaquita, her mixed-breed dog, hundreds of ballots for Sunday’s elections in Costa Rica, where citizens are...

Coco Gauff Falls in Straight Sets to Elina Svitolina in Australian Open Quarterfinals

American tennis player Coco Gauff exited the Australian Open after a quick loss to Ukraine's Elina Svitolina in the quarterfinals. The third-seeded Gauff struggled...

Sabalenka and Rybakina Advance to Australian Open Final After Semifinal Wins

Aryna Sabalenka moved one step closer to her third title at the Australian Open with a straight-sets win over Elina Svitolina in the semifinals...
Avatar
Costa Rica Coffee Maker Chorreador
Costa Rica Coffee Maker Chorreador
Costa Rica Travel Insurance
Costa Rica Travel

Latest News from Costa Rica