Police hunt escaper after gas threat

Press, 27 February 1984, Page 1

Police hunt escaper after gas threat

PA Auckland The police have launched a national manhunt for an Oakley Hospital escaper who they say has threatened to set off a deadly nerve gas canister. Officials of Auckland emergency services have formulated contingency plans in the event of the escaper, Bruce Douglas Cameron, carrying out his threat. The police believe Cameron is capable of making the nerve gas which, depending on wind strengths, is lethal to about 10 kilometres.

Auckland’s deputy police commander, Deputy Assistant Commissioner E. G.

Perry, said last evening there was no need for public alarm.

“People can be assured that at this stage, as a result of intelligence in our possession, there is no danger at present,” he said. “But the longer he is at large, the greater the danger of his carrying out his threats.”

The matter must be kept in perspective, said Mr Perry. The police did not propose to order the evacuation of Auckland.

“We have an open mind on the matter but, of course, we are required to treat the matter seriously,” said Mr Perry. Cameron, aged 32, who is awaiting on charges of possessing and manufacturing the hallucinogenic drug, Angel Dust, had some formal training in chemistry, said Mr Perry.

“It is believed that this man now has the capability and technical knowledge to carry out his threats. In my view, this man is a menace.”

The police throughout New Zealand have been alerted to be on the lookout for Cameron, who disappeared from Oakley Hospital about 9.30 p.m. on Wednesday.

A special squad of detectives has been assigned to help find him.

The police learned of the latest threats after Cameron telephoned his Auckland solicitor, Mr John Haigh, on Thursday morning and issued demands.

Mr Perry said Cameron wanted the quashing of his present prosecution and an inquiry into matters in which he was previously involved. “He threatened that he would release one of these nerve gas bombs. He doesn’t nominate the place. “He said there was to be no publicity. He said that if his description or photograph were published, there

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would be immediate action.”

Mr Perry said there were other reasons why the police did not give public statements about the Cameron case earlier. Cameron, he said, telephoned the officer in charge of the Auckland drug squad, Detective Inspector lan Hastings, later on Thursday. “Cameron referred to earlier ' demands he had made through his solicitor. His telephone call confirmed earlier threats.”

Fire, ambulance, and Army officers, as well as scientists and explosives experts, attended a special conference at the Auckland, Central Police Station on Thursday afternoon. Mr Perry, who presided over the meeting, said, “Contingency plans were drawn up in case Cameron did carry out his threats. “We approached hospital people to alert them to the situation. They were briefed on the existing situation.” Mr Perry said the police had no indication of where, when, or how the release of nerve gas was likely to take place. There were many variables to consider when estimating the range the gas could travel. It depended on the size of the canister and the amount of gas in it. Mr Haigh said he got in touch with the police immediately after hearing from Cameron.

“I would only have done that if I felt he meant what he was saying,” he said.

“I took his threats seriously as, of course, the police are.” Mr Haigh said Cameron wanted replies to his threats within 48 hours.

Mr Perry declined to say what the police were doing in connection with Cameron’s demands. Cameron is described as European, aged 32, 188 cm (6ft 3in) tall, of solid build, with a sallow complexion and blue eyes.