Armed Police Seek Prisoners In Scrub

Press, Volume CVIII, Issue 31659, 20 April 1968, Page 14

Armed Police Seek Prisoners In Scrub

(New Zealand Press Association) NEW PLYMOUTH, April 19. Late tonight armed police were moving in on two prisoners believed to have been cornered near Tokaanu.

The prisoners, described as dangerous, disappeared from the compound about 8 p.m. on Thursday, three hours before two men attacked a Turangi man in his bed. Nine members of the Hamilton armed offenders squad stood by at Turangi while searchers combed scrub and swampland near Tokaanu. Twenty-six armed police from Taumarunui, Rotorua, Hamilton, Tokoroa, Taupo and Mangakino are taking part in the hunt, assisted byeight prison officers and three police dogs. The wanted men are Christopher Guest, aged 20, an Englishman, and Atenai Saifiti, aged 19, a Samoan. Saiflti was serving a sen-

tence for assault with intent to injure and Guest was sentenced on charges of car conversion and burglary. Both men were regarded as dangerous and the public were warned not to approach them, said Sergeant G. G. Gillies, of Turangi, who is in charge of the search. He also warned motorists to lock or immobilise their vehicles. Attack In Night About 11 p.m. on Thursday two men entered a house at Fletchers Mill, two miles from the prison compound; and attacked Mr Ronald Scott, aged 50, who was asleep. After striking him about the head, they demanded food, money, clothing, and a gun. Mr Scott had little food or money about the house and no gun, but the men took clothing from a wardrobe, leaving some of their own garments behind.

They gagged and bound Mr Scott before leaving. Mr Scott subsequently freed himself and roused a neighbour. Mr Scott was later admitted to Rotorua Hospital suffering eye and cheek Injuries.