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

Climate Change May Be Intensifying El Niño, 1,000-Year Coral Study Finds

Records preserved in coral skeletons dating back 1,000 years show that El Niño events are becoming more intense as the planet warms, with major...

Costa Rica Upholds Puerto Viejo Dock Approval as New Appeal Raises Coral Concerns

Costa Rica’s environmental authority has kept approval in place for a proposed public dock in Puerto Viejo. A new appeal argues that important coral information was added after the original decision and questions the project’s reported size.

Costa Rica’s OIJ Invests in Israeli Technology to Unlock Seized Phones

Costa Rica’s Judicial Investigation Agency (OIJ) is investing heavily in technology capable of unlocking and getting information from cellphones seized during criminal investigations, as...

Hilton Signs Luxury Resort and Residences Next to Manuel Antonio Park

Hilton has signed an agreement for its first LXR-branded property in Costa Rica, a seven-story luxury resort paired with 116 private residences on a...

Lagoon Operator Says German Consul Was Swimming When He Drowned

The association that runs the recreation center where Germany's consul in Costa Rica died on Saturday has disputed the account that circulated internationally in...

Costa Rica Expansion and Rebuild of the Limón Airport

Costa Rica plans to invest about $40 million to rebuild and expand Limón Airport, with the long-term goal of bringing international flights directly to...

Court Frees Wife of Pecho de Rata as Prosecutors Appeal

A Limon judge rejected a request to jail the wife of extradited trafficking suspect Edwin Lopez Vega for a year, imposing a travel ban instead. Prosecutors have appealed.

US Embassy Says Tourist Visa Appointments in Costa Rica Are Not Affected

If you have an appointment in San José for a US tourist or business visa, keep it. Nothing has changed for you. The US...

Climate Change Could Dull the Brilliant Blue of Costa Rica’s Morpho Butterflies

One of Costa Rica’s most recognizable butterflies could become a little less brilliant as temperatures rise. A new study found that unusually hot temperatures...
Avatar
🌴 The Weekly Pura Vida

Costa Rica, Once a Week

The week's top stories, weather & insider tips — delivered every Sunday. One email, zero clutter.

🔒 Free. No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.

Loading…

Latest News from Costa Rica

Costa Rica Coffee Maker Chorreador
Costa Rica Car Rentals
Costa Rica Travel Insurance
Costa Rica Travel