Fox News Flash top headlines for Feb. 4
Fox News Flash top headlines for Feb. 4 are here. Check out what's clicking on Foxnews.com.
A Dominican man convicted of kidnapping and murdering five university students nearly a decade ago has escaped from a Panamanian prison for the second time, authorities said Tuesday.
The Ministry of Public Security said a search was underway to capture Gilberto Ventura Ceballos, who is blamed for one of the country's worst crimes. A $30,000 reward is being offered for information on his capture.
Authorities have not said when Ventura Ceballos escaped from the Mega Joya prison, which sits outside Panama City. The lockup is the same institution where 15 inmates were killed last year during gunfire between jailed members of the same gang.
This Panama National Police internet wanted police shows Gilberto Ventura Ceballos who has escaped from a Panamanian prison for a second time, presumably with help from police, authorities in Panama City said Tuesday. (Panama's Public Security Ministry via AP)
Authorities suspect he was helped by prison officers.
“There are signs registered by the prison’s security cameras that there was participation by police officers assigned to security in the penitentiary,” the ministry said in a statement.
Ventura Ceballos was serving a 50-year sentence for the abduction and killing of five university students of Chinese descent. He was sentenced in July 2018 with a fellow Dominican accomplice.
The victims were found buried beneath the floor of a home in the Panama City suburb of La Chorrera. Authorities said Ventura Ceballos and his cohort collected nearly a quarter-million dollars in ransom payments from the victims' relatives.
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
He previously escaped from the prison in December 2016 and was later recaptured in Costa Rica where he was living under a false name.
"We are so disappointed,” said Judith Chen, whose daughter was one of the victims, on Tuesday. “This man has the number of Panama’s security institutions. He comes and goes when he pleases. ... How did he get out? Who helped him? How much money does this man have and from where did he get it?”
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Antisemitism Exposed
Fox News' Antisemitism Exposed" newsletter brings you stories on the rising anti-Jewish prejudice across the U.S. and the world."
By entering your email and clicking the Subscribe button, you agree to the Fox News Privacy Policy and Terms of Use, and agree to receive content and promotional communications from Fox News. You understand that you can opt-out at any time.