Escaper May Have Stolen Food

Press, Volume CII, Issue 30038, 24 January 1963, Page 12

Escaper May Have Stolen Food

Christchurch police believe that Edward Murray Moore converted a five-ton truck loaded with food from St. Asaph street four hours after he escaped from Addington Prison on Saturday afternoon.

“We think he has enough stolen food to sustain him for at least a month,” said the director of the search (Inspector G. Tait) last evening.

The truck was found abandoned in Opawa later on Saturday night, but half its load including tins of corned beef, biscuits, jam and beans—was missing.

Chocolate, cheese, tea, and potato chips had also been taken.

Valued ait £2OOO, the truck and its toad were removed from the yard of a carrying firm about 5 p.m. on Saturday. It was noticed passing through Redcliffs three hours Later. but no further reports on its whereabouts were received until it was found in Opawa.

Working on the theory that Moore might be hiding in one of the vacant buildings owned by the Army Department at Godley Head, the police made an intensive search of the area yesterday, but found no trace.

Police suspect that Moore drove the truck out of Christohui’ch, dumped some of the food, returned the truck to Opawa. and then went back to the place where the food was hidden. The search team led by Inspector Tait consists of Sergeant G. Brewer, Detectives E. Mitten and R. Meikle, Constables M. Nicholas, J. Benny and N. Watkins, and the dogs, Ace, Buck and Gem. and their handlers.