GAOL ESCAPEE’S SHORT LIBERTY

Wanganui Chronicle, 6 May 1947, Page 6

GAOL ESCAPEE’S SHORT LIBERTY

(PA.) Dunedin, May 4. Escaping from Central Police Station at aijout 7 o’clock on Saturday morning, Ronald James Blair, aged 22, vho was in custody on a charge of unlawful conversion of a motor-car, arts at large until shortly after midlav when he was apprehended by the police at Waikouaiti, 30 miles noith of Dunedin. Broadcast announcements were made of the escape and motorist were warned not to leave their cars unattended. Nevertheless the escaped prisoner, who was seen in Maori Hill during the morning, converted a motor-truck in Dunedin and was driving the vehicle through Waikouaiti when he was stopped by Const i s le J. Shannon. He was taken back to Central Police Station. The prisoner made his escape while he was being shepherded with otner prisoners from his cell to the cxe - cse yard. A number of prisoners are at present in custody at ce.i*rd Staton and Blair apparently managed to elude the guard in the half darkness of early morning. He made his. escape when th** prisoners wer? moving a iong the corridor from, ceils to the exercise yard. Prisoner was rk’ing a woman’s bicycle in Maori Fill a short time after his escape. Blah was arrested at Christ hu r ch last week on a charge of coiv*»r*ing at Dunedin a motor-car va’ued at £l4OOO and at the time c:' his escape he had been remanded in custody.