GAOL ESCAPEES CAUGHT

Chronicle (Levin), 13 August 1947, Page 5

GAOL ESCAPEES CAUGHT

-Press Association

Police Fire Shots Dfiring Excitisg Chase

By Telegraph

NEW PLY"MOUTH, Aug, 12.* After breakkig dnto a eottage on tlie property of Mr. M. Oouuery, Taumarunui, ancl forcing x\ir. Connery to Iea\re at the point of a gun when he interruptecl c'heni, two escaped prisoners, Ivlervyn Keith Pedlar, aged 20, and Kenneth Williani d oseph Kerr, aged 21, were apprehended at raumumnui shortiy after 5 p.m. today. In a vain effort to escape Pedlar swam across the Wanganui River at Taumarunui, only to. becaught by the police on the -other side. Kerr was captured shortiy afterwards at shotgun point by Mr. 'Connery. . The two men escaped on Monday from the Waikeria Borstal near Te Awamutu where Pedlar was serviug a term of two years ior theft and Kerr 21 months for multiple car ' conversions and theft. From near Otorohanga they drove south and when passing through the town of Otorohanga itself, collided with another vehicle but drove off immediately. When Mr. Connery eame upon the men on his property they had packed up bundles of gear ancl armed themselves with r.fles that were in the cottage. They ordered him to leave, telling him that they were prison escapees. The police were notified and they eame upon the men walking along the road. At first it hppearecl as if the men were going to make a stand but after two- shots were fired over their heads, Kerr went into the nearby bush but Pedlar made towartls the banlc of the Wanganui 'River where he dropped his rifle, took off his shoes and coat and dived into the water. When he reached the other side, however, the poliee were waiting for him. After taking Pedlar to the police station the party was about to return in pursuit of Kerr when it received a telcphone call from 'Mr. Connery to say that he had caught him returning to Connery 's property. The police found Kerr tiecl up and eovered by Air. Connery with a shot gun.