Escaper might have been armed robber

Press, 27 April 1989, Page 1

Escaper might have been armed robber

By

BARRY CLARKE

The police are not discounting the possibility that one of the Paparua Prison escapers might have tried to rob a Heathcotebased malting plant of its payroll yesterday. A man, in his mid-20s, burst into the office of the Canterbury N.Z. Malting Company, Ltd, shortly after 11 a.m. wielding a military-style rifle and demanding money. He forced an employee to the ground and kicked him twice in the stomach. The man then searched the office while holding about seven other employees at bay.

He found no money and left in a waiting utility vehicle, stolen the previous day, which was driven by an accomplice.

The police have feared the escapers might resort to armed robbery since they bolted a week ago. The most dangerous, Stephen Malcolm, was captured last Sunday, but Malcolm Hurst, aged 25, Tamati Gray, aged 23, Richard Panapa, aged 29, and John Fearon, aged 28, are on the loose. “Any armed robbery which occurs- now, we obviously have to consider it might be one of them,” Detective Senior-Sergeant John Doyle said. The police have no evidence to link yesterday’s attempted robbery with any of the escapers, but the description of the man with the gun is similar to Hurst’s. The offender is described as European, in his mid-20s, 173 cm tall, and of medium build. He

was wearing a balaclava and sported a dark moustache, which Hurst did not have at the time of his escape. Neither the company nor the police would confirm how much money was on the premises or where it was kept. The company is changing the form of payment to its employees from cash to direct credit. Detective Senior-Sergeant Doyle said it was likely the offenders knew yesterday was pay 1 , day and had made the raid fori that reason. Ijhey drove, to Maunsell Street, a short distance away, and transferred to another vehicle, a grey Austin Mini, also stolen the previous day.

The co-offender is described also as European, 183 cm tall, of slim build, in his mid-20s.