Particle.news
Download on the App Store

Huánuco Inmate Escapes Through Unguarded Tower, Exposing Prison Security Gaps

Prosecutors opened an investigation into perimeter coverage failures following the escape.

Overview

  • Rolando Gerónimo Mateo, 26, fled the Huánuco prison around 4:20 p.m. on January 1 by scaling the perimeter in the zone between pavilions 1 to 4 known as 'tierra de nadie'.
  • He exited through watchtower 11, which lacked police presence at the time, as only towers T2, T4, T6, T7 and T9 were staffed after a 2 p.m. relief.
  • External perimeter surveillance of towers and the no-man’s-land area falls under the National Police through SECSEPEN Potracancha, while INPE manages internal operations.
  • INPE notified the National Police and the Ministerio Público, and police launched a search-and-recapture operation that remains active.
  • Authorities are pursuing a preliminary lead involving a motorcycle reportedly tied to the inmate’s father, and regional governor Antonio Pulgar inspected the facility’s security.