ESCAPE FROM CUSTODY

New Zealand Times, Volume XLVII, Issue 10993, 31 August 1921, Page 5

ESCAPE FROM CUSTODY

LEAP FROM MOVING TRAIN. OFFENDER STILL AT LARGE.

A daring escape from custody by leaping from a moving train, either in or near the Parnell railway tunnel, was that which (as previously reported) was effected by a prisoner, George Caffrey, on Saturday. The escapee, who is a quarter-caete native of Norfolk Island, was being escorted by a constable on the express to Wellington for trial on two chargee of theft when his hreak tor liberty was made. Shortly after the train left Auckland station, the prisoner, who wa® not handcuffed, obtained permission to go to the lavatory, while the constable waited outside. At the entrance to the tunnel, the constable, becoming suspicious, forced the door, and found, the window open and the compartment empty. The train did not stop until it arrived at Remuera. From this station the constable retraced the distance, but failed to find any trace of tho escaped prisoner or any mark on the embankment to indicate where he had alighted. No one was to be seen in the vicinity, and the constable had to communicate with the police station to enlist tho aid of a large party to assist in the search. The escaped man, aged 26, is of an active, upright build, about 6ft in height. In appearance he resembles a quarter-caste Maori or a half-caste Niue Islander, with dark skin, long, frizzy black hair, and large brown eyes. Ho was wearing a dark brown suit, a grey cap, and a khaki gabardine raincoat.