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News

January 23rd, 2026
3 months later Jose Almestica & John M. Burgos still not recaptured

BALSUM GHUT, Tortola, VI- There has been no update from the Virgin Islands Police Force (RVIPF) on the whereabouts of escaped prisoners Jose Almestica, 37, and John M. Burgos, 27, who escaped His Majesty's Prison (HMP) in Balsam Ghut on the evening of October 25, 2025.

November 4th, 2025
Governor Pruce orders 'full external investigation' into recent prison break

ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI– As increased measures have been implemented to continue the manhunt for the two escaped prisoners, Governor Daniel Pruce has announced that he will commission a full, independent, external investigation into the circumstances that led to the escape of Jose Almestica, 37, and John M. Burgos, 27, who broke out of His Majesty's Prison (HMP) in Balsam Ghut on October 25, 2025.

November 2nd, 2025
Police believe fugitives Almestica & Burgos still in VI

ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI- Prison escapees Jose Almestica, 37, and John M. Burgos, 27, who broke out of His Majesty's Prison (HMP) in Balsam Ghut on October 25, 2025, are still believed to be hiding out in the Virgin Islands (VI).

October 26th, 2025
RVIPF leading 'intense & comprehensive manhunt' for fugitives- Acting CoP

BALSAM GHUT, Tortola, VI- The Royal Virgin Islands Police Force (RVIPF) is leading an extensive, multi-agency manhunt to locate and apprehend the fugitives, Jose Almestica, 37, and John M. Burgos, 27, who escaped His Majesty's Prison (HMP) in Balsam Ghut last evening, October 25, 2025.

October 26th, 2025
Jose Almestica & John M. Burgos escape His Majesty's Prison

BALSAM GHUT, Tortola, VI- High-profile prisoner Jose Almestica and John M. Burgos have escaped from His Majesty's Prison (HMP).

August 10th, 2022
Jose Almestica charged with Deverson Williams’ murder

ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI– The Royal Virgin Islands Police Force Major Crime Team today, August 10, 2022, charged Jose Almestica, 33, with murder in the shooting death of Deverson Williams.

July 3rd, 2022
HMP inmate Jose Almestica reportedly stabbed

BALSAM GHUT, Tortola, VI- Word just reaching our newsroom is that inmate at Her Majesty's Prison in Balsam Ghut Jose Almestica has been rushed to Dr D. Orlando Smith Hospital with stab wounds.

January 7th, 2022
20 firearms, $50M in drugs confiscated from Jose Almestica’s residence– CoP

ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI- As the investigation into crimes allegedly committed by Mr Jose Almestica continues, Commissioner of Police Mr Mark Collins has disclosed that 20 firearms and $50 million worth of drugs were found inside Almestica’s Ballast Bay apartment, paving the way for countless more charges to be laid against him.

December 15th, 2021
Smith siblings remanded to HMP for harbouring Jose Almestica

ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI- Senior Magistrate Tamia Richards remanded two more persons – Shamal Smith and Renee Smith – to Her Majesty’s Prison, charged with Harbouring former fugitive Jose Almestica.

December 14th, 2021
Two more charged with harbouring prison escapee Jose Almestica

ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI - Information coming into Virgin Islands News Online (VINO) is that three persons, including two siblings, have been charged with harbouring 2017 prison escapee Jose Almestica.

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