WAIKERIA ESCAPEES

Waipa Post, Volume 48, Issue 3471, 26 May 1934, Page 7

WAIKERIA ESCAPEES

ONE CAPTURED; THE OTHER STILL AT LIBERTY.

BOTH men LOCATED NEAR

NGAHINAPOURI

Following upon the discovery by an Arohena settler, Mr E. Bryan, that his motorcar had been removed from a shed on the farm during the early hours of Thursday morning, the Waikeria Borstal authorities have been diligently following clues that were expected to lead to the apprehending of the two escapees, Frank Baker and Bernard Cole, who left the institution on Tuesday morning. The tracks of the car were followed out on to the Kihikihi-Aiapuni highway, and actually to Arapuni, but they could not be followed further. The fact that the police had been patrolling and watching all roads in the district centring on Putaruru to capture a man believed to be concerned in the burglary and assault incidents on Monday evening at Tirau and Putarinu, was expected to lie a help in tracing the missing car and its occupants, but the latter successfully eluded police vigilance. Then came word that the men missing from Waikeria were believed to have reached NgahinapouiS district (Cole 1 knows that pait of the Waikato well, having worked in the neighbourhood before he was sent to Waikeria), and u watch was kept there, a draft of police from Hamilton scouring the roads and prosecuting inquiries. Eventual y the missing car; was found abandoned. It was well stocked with a variety of provisions and other articles, including, it is said, cream cans and other- farm equipment, but the petrol tank was dry. Three constables kept watch at the car, expecting that one or both of the men would return with petrol. The guess was a good one. for last evening Baker was seen to be approaching the car, but just when capture seemed certain the man hes.tated, and appeared to be suspicious of a trap. However, before he could make good his escape the constables rushed after him and soon he was in custody. No sign of the other man, Cole, could be found, and the constables continued their vigil throughout the night. It is believed that the fugitives travelled in the car from Arapuni to Cambridge, thence to Kaipaki and past Ohaupo to Ngahinapouri, where shortage of petrol caused a temporary abandonment of the vehicle.