14 Nov 2008

Man recaptured after escape from prison van

7:55 pm on 14 November 2008

A Manawatu prisoner who escaped from a police van in October has been recaptured.

Debdem Wamoana, 26, was being transported from Manawatu Prison to Levin District Court on 29 October when he and fellow prisoner, Jay Solomon, forced open the back doors of the prison van as it passed through the town of Shannon.

Mr Solomon was arrested soon after, but Mr Wamoana, who is facing serious assault charges, remained at large.

Police arrested Mr Wamoana at a house in Levin on Thursday.

He will appear in court on Friday facing charges of escaping and burglary.