SENSATIONAL AFFAIR

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3089, 21 May 1917, Page 6

SENSATIONAL AFFAIR

ESCAPED PRISONER AND TAXI DRIVER STRUGGLE ON HIGHWAY By Telegraph.-Press Association. Hamilton, Mav 19. A sensational affair occurred on the Hamilton-Cambridge road yesterday, when a taxi driver named Edward Henry J. eebles <vas-assaulted by a mnn named -KOLiin Jasper Crago. au escapee irom Waikiroa prison, near Te Awamutu. Lra-o had engaged Peebles to drive him to Hamilton from Cambridge. Crago stated that it was his intention to render Peebles unconecious, eeize the ear, aad make his escape to Auckland, leebless hands were badly lacerated, and one nail was torn off. ; Crago was before the Court this morning, and was charged with assault and with beng an escapee from prison. De-teotive-Sergeant Cooney said that the accused was serving a sentence of ten years for attempted murder at Auckland. He escaped from Waikiroa prison on .May IS. Further charges are pending. A remand was granted for a week. AVhen about four and a half miles along the road, Crago eaid: "Ease her up," and as the car was stopping Peebles felt a string go round his neck. The string was drawn tight, and Peebles became unconscious. The next thing he knew was that he was struggling with Crago on the side of the car, and both fell on to the road, Crago biting at Peebles's hands. During the struggle they separated, and jumped to their feet. Other cars then came up, and Crago was guarded until the police arrived.

Crago was the actor in a sensational attempt to steal a motor-car at Devonport, Auckland, four years ago, a revolver being used, and was sentenced to ten years' reformative treatment.