POLICE SEARCH SUCCEEDS

Press, Volume LXXXIX, Issue 27009, 8 April 1953, Page 8

POLICE SEARCH SUCCEEDS

VERCOE ARRESTED AT TE TEKO PA MANSLAUGHTER CHARGE LAID (New Zealand Press Association) ROTORUA, April 7. After a three-day search in heavy bush country, police arrested Charlie Nani Vercoe at Te Teko pa late this afternoon. He was charged with the manslaughter of Rere Tuhua, also known as Mrs Molly Vercoe, who died of head injuries at her home at Hinemoa Point, Rotorua, early on Sunday morning. Vercoe offered no resistance to the police. He surrendered his rifle, for which he had no remaining ammunition, and was brought by car to RotoHe will appear in the Magistrate’s Court tomorrow morning. A police party arrived at Te Teko this morning under Detective M. Stewart, of Hamilton. They learned from the pa that Vercoe was likely to give himself up, and at 5.45 p.m. they went to the pa, where Vercoe had been given a meal and dry clothes. He met the police, surrounded by his relatives, and gave himself up quietly. During the three-day chase through the bush, Vercoe shot a deer and two pigs to feed his dog and to supplement the loaf of bread he carried for himself. He was forced to leave his horse behind after leading it for hours through the bush. Vercoe became bushed on Monday, and was soaked to the skin by heavy rain. He covered the last stage of his 40-mile trek to the Onepu road this'morning. The police party which was yesterday reported overdue in the search for Vercoe, returned to the Rotorua police station just before midday today, tired and dishevelled.