DARING ESCAPE

Auckland Star, Volume LXXIII, Issue 119, 22 May 1942, Page 6

DARING ESCAPE

PRISONER IN LOCK-UP

DASH FROM POLICE STATION

A daring escape from the lock-up at the central police station was made at 7.20 last evening by a prisoner, Robert Herbert Martinsen, aged 22, who was in the cells awaiting transfer to the Auckland prison.

Martinsen came before the Police Court yesterday, when he pleaded guilty to three charges of housebreaking and two of theft from a dwelling, and was committed to the Supreme Court for sentence. He made his escape when a constable on watch-house duty entered the exercise yard to lock Martinsen in a cell.

Martinsen, who was alone in the yard, removed the electric light bulb from its socket, leaving the yard in darkness, while he also arranged his bed to make it appear that he was in it. Then he hid in an empty cell while the constable went to the "occupied" cell. He also turned some hand basin taps full on in order to cover up the sound of his footsteps as he crossed the concrete yard. He was thus able to slip out of the main door to the cells and yard without being noticed. This door cannot be locked on the inside while inspections are being carried out.

Martinson had to run the risk of being seen walking along the main passages leading past the watchhouse and into the street. He apparently crouched below the level of the watch-house counter and thus was not seen leaving by a constable who was on duty.

Despite a wide scarch which extended throughout the night, there is still no trace of the escapee.