Police deny armored truck heist suspect was ‘escorted’ out of the country

Santo Domingo.- The National Police denied Friday that JohnPercival Matos, main suspect in the fatal armored truck heist at Bella VistaMall on Sept. 14, was escorted out of the country through Las AmericasInternational Airport.

Police spokesman Nelson Rosario said the Immigration Agencyhad denied that the fugitive, alleged armed with an M16 assault rifle, had leftthe country via the air terminal.

"It is true that Percival Matos has left through theVIP lounge of the airport Jose Francisco Pena Gomez," Rosario told reportersat Police headquarters.

According to police, Percival Matos, son of retired generalRafael Percival Peña headed the assault which killed one guard and seriously injuredanother. He’s also linked to a robbery of a bank messenger in Villa Mella on August4.