Hunt for two men widens

Press, 25 August 1988, Page 8

Hunt for two men widens

\PA Wanganui The two men wanted in connection with the shooting of a motorist and assault on a traffic officer at Owhango, near Taumarunui, on Tuesday night evaded a police manhunt yesterday. The police had a good start to the search for the fugitives yesterday by finding their Triumph car at 8.30 a.m. in Owhango. Subsequently it was discovered a red 1986 Holden Commodore had been stolen from the same area and the police believe the men escaped in it. Apart from an unconfirmed sighting at Mokau, on the northern Taranaki coast, the men and vehicle have not been seen.

The police have begun inquiries in Auckland and Wellington and throughout the central North Island. Inspector Dale Smeaton, of the Taumarunui police, said the police were following strong leads. A 15-man team is still working on the case, and police stations throughout New Zealand are also on the lookout. The men attacked Traffic Officer lan Harrison, of Ohakune, when he was writing out a speeding ticket after stopping the Triumph in Owhango’s main street on Tuesday afternoon. One man had got into the officer’s patrol car and attacked himWhile Mr Harrison was fighting off the man in the front seat, the one in the rear tried to strangle him. Mr Harrison managed to roll out of the car but was then kicked and punched while on the ground. A man who came to his aid was shot in the leg with a pistol by one of the offenders. Further shots were fired but did not hit anyone. Both victims were taken to Taumarunui Hospital and discharged yesterday morning.