PRISONERS ESCAPE

Hokitika Guardian, 30 November 1932, Page 5

PRISONERS ESCAPE

EXCITING CHASE MOTOR RACE IN BAY OF PLENTY. (Per Press Association Copyright.) WHAKATANE, November 29. An exciting chase after the two prisoners, Arthur Albert Clayton and Graham Wilfred Morton, who escaped from the Waikeria prison camp on Saturday afternoon, was made by Constables Cummings, Johnsen and McDonnell of this district, last night. The police were advised that a Chrysler car, answering to the description of the one stolen at Okoroire, had been observed refuelling at a garage at Whakatane.

The police gave chase towards Taneatua.

The cars speeding at sixty miles an hour, through Taneatua, missed the turn to Opotiki, and proceeded towards Ruatoki.

The police car, although it kept up with the stolen car, was unable to catch it, owing to dust obscuring the vision When the two occupants realised that they were running to a dead end off the main road, they quickly abandoned the car in the darkness, and made off towards the hills,

The police guarded the river bridge and the vantage points all night and with the assistance of some settlers, ithey combed the valley alrea to-day, but without finding any trace of the prisoners’ whereabouts.

POLICE RECAPTURE MORTON.

CLAYTON STILL AT LARGE.

WHAKATANE, November 30.

The search for the escaped prisoners, Clayton and Morton was continued yesterday. Their whereabouts were discovered by the fact that- they broke into.® roadman’s hut in the Waimana Gorge yesterday morning, and Mr Kirk’s house in the same locality in Line same . afternoon. At the latter place they secured meat and! bread. The polios land civilians' -patrolled the roads in the vicinity, and at ten o’clock last night, they observed two men on the road making in the direction of Opotiki. 'Constable Johnson surprised and grabbed Morton who hit the constable in the face with la billy, and, in the ensuing struggle, Iwth went over a bank. The constable overpowered! .and handcuffed Morton. Constable Breed grappled vVith Dayton, who wriggled iaway, regaining the bush, and he is still at large. Morton was the leader of the pair, •being a motor driver and mechanic, .and having ia knowledge of the district.

'Hie police nr© still ©©arching fel* Oil ay ton.