20 January 2008
Hamilton detectives are continuing the hunt for three remand inmates who escaped from a Police prisoner escort van on its way to prison yesterday morning.
Detective Senior Sergeant Greg Nicholls of Hamilton CIB said the hunt for Thomas TE RANGI, 19, Darren William SNOWDEN, 22, and Richard Thomas JOSEPH, 30, would centre on the trios known associates both within and outside the city.
"TE RANGI also goes under the name Steely TERANGI while JOSEPH is also known as Richard MIDWOOD," said Mr Nicholls.
"Overnight we received a number of reports from the public of suspicious activity in the area at the centre of yesterday's search and we would encourage people to continue to contact Police."
Officers backed up by Police dogs continued the search until about 10.30pm but Mr Nicholls said today the enquiry would have a different focus.
Two of the trio are known to have contacts in the Bay of Plenty and Taupo areas with JOSEPH previously living in Mangakino.
"Taking this into account the focus of our enquiries will be on the men's known associates and they can expect a fair degree of pressure to be applied while these men remain at large.
"Anyone assisting these men should be aware there are repercussions and anyone there are serious consequences they need to consider," said Mr Nicholls.
Yesterday's escape is the subject of an ongoing operational review by Waikato Police.
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