THREE CAUGHT

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVII, Issue 23781, 8 October 1940, Page 6

THREE CAUGHT

ESCAPED PRISONERS BUSH AT TITIRANGI EARIiY MORNING CAPTURE NO RESISTANCE MADE Surprised while hiding In a small area of bush not far from the Titirangi Hotel at 6.30 yesterday morning, and without offering any resistance, three of the four prisoners who escaped from the Auckland prison last Tuesday evening were recaptured by three constables taking part in tho search for them. One was Randall Reginald David Smith, a convicted murderer serving a life sentence, and the others were Bryan James O'Hehir and John Henry Silva, both sentenced for burglary. They had had no food for two days and wore a varied collection of garments stolen from different places at night. An organised search which began over a wide bush-covered area on Sunday and continued throughout the night, and the discovery by Constable A. J. McTavish of fresh footprints in swampy ground, led to tho apprehension of the hunted men. The circle of search narrowed abruptly at nine o'clock on Sunday night with the report of the theft of a coat and a pair of trousers from a house nearly opposite the filtering plant on the old Exhibition Drive. All through the night patrol cars and police sentries kept a close watch upon the territory between the Titirangi Hotel and Parau.

Footprints Seen Early yesterday morning Constable McTavish, Constable D. J. Dwan and Constable J. W. Saunders were detailed to patrol the area in the neighbourhood of the hotel. They went carefully through the undergrowth, inspected sheds, baches and houses, but found nothing suspicious until they reached a small slip-rail, on the other side of which Constable McTavish saw several footprints evidently r.aade by someone in a hurry. The three officers, separated. Constable McTavish went to the top of a ridge, and had not gone far when he saw Smith'b head appear cautiously from the other side of a fallen log. The constable approached the log. He saw Smith crouched down behind it, and near by were his two companions, O'Hehir and Silva, hiding in scrub. Smith, who acted as spokesman for the three, denied their identity, but the constable whistled the pre-arranged signal to summon Constables Saunders and Dwan. At no time did any of the fugitives show any signs of truculence, even when they were bejng handcuffed, although they had ample opportunity while Constable McTavish was alone with them.

Very Little to Eat The three prisoners had ample tobacco, but from what they said they had had very little to eat since the night of their escape. They said that for the most part they had lived on a packet of oatmeal and some raisins they stole from roadside grocery boxes belonging to farmsteads in isolated districts, supplemented with edible roots they found in the bush. Dirty and unshaven, and dressed in clothing which ranged from a football jersey to a suit of naval denim overalls, they presented a curious picture. Nevertheless, they were in . good physical condition. While the three constables with their captives were making toward the road, patrol cars and about 20 officers on foot were converging upon the area, following an alarm given by a man a short while before that he had seen three men in the bush about 200 yards below the Titirangi Hotel, somewhere near the corner of Titirangi Road and View Road. Consequently, when the three constables and their prisoners reached the road they were met by a considerable number of police. The prisoners were searched, and Silva was found to have about £4. The others had no money.

No Trace of Fourth Man Smith, O'Hehir and Silva were placed in separate patrol cars and brought to Auckland. As soon as they arrived at tlie central police station Superintendent J. Cummings arranged for them to be given a substantial breakfast. The fourth escaped prisoner, David Fraser Watson, aged 21, apparently parted company with his fellows when they abandoned at Newmarket a motorcar" they took from outside a house in Seccombes Road a few minutes after their escape from prison. Watson has not since been seen. It is stated he has a chest complaint which would have precluded his risking the rigorous experience of nights spent in the bush. All three warders who were injured on the night the four men escaped still are in the Auckland Hospital. Mr. J. G. Crawford, who suffered severe head injuries, has improved slightly, in a serious condition. Mr. J. W. Scholium and Mr. A. Burgess, who are being treated for concussion and slight scalp wounds, are making satisfactory progress.

TRIBUTE TO SEARCHERS TASK IN ROUGH WEATHER Praise for all who had taken part in the arduous search for tho escaped prisoners was given by the superintendent of police at Auckland, Mr. J. Cumniiiigs. Whether in their long watches at police stations, or in traversing rough, difficult bush territories in bad weather during tho early, stages, everyone engaged in tho task which confronted them had upheld the traditions of tho New Zealand Police Force. He made special mention also of the help given by warders from the Auckland prison.

The Mayor of Auckland, Sir Ernest Davis, sent a letter yesterday to Mr. Cummings, congratulating him and his staff upon the success they had achieved. He said citizens were highly appreciative of tho efficiency with which tho police had undertaken their work.