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New Zealand Herald, Volume XLVII, Issue 14347, 18 April 1910, Page 6

POWELKA, THE ESCAPED PRISONER, RECAPTURED AT ASHHURST. Joseph John Powelka, the prisoner who was recaptured at Ashhurst yesterdaymorning after establishing a reign of terror over Palmerston North and the surrounding district for the past fortnight, is a native of Oxford, Canterbury, and is between 22 and 28 years of age. On March 7ho was committed for trial at Palmerston North on five charges of burglar}* and theft on various dates during the past few months. A further charge of burglary was preferred against him, but on this charge he was remanded for a week. Ho was placed in the Palmerston police gaol to await the hearing of the further charge. He escaped on March 12, but was recaptured at Awahiiri two clays later without much, trouble. Ho was then taken to Wellington/apparently for greater safety, but on March 23 ho again escaped,, this time from the Lambton Quay police station, by taking advantage of the door of his cell being accidentally left open. Ho got away to tho country and remained at largo for 25 days. '