Escaped prisoner captured

The hunt for Debden Wamoana who escaped from a police prisoner van in October is finally over.

Wamoana, a 26-year-old from Levin was being transported from Manawatu Prison to Levin District Court on 29 October with 18-year-old Jay Solomon, from Foxton Beach when the pair forced open the van's back doors as it passed through Shannon.

Solomon was arrested a couple of days later but Wamoana who was facing charges for serious assault remained at large.

Over the last couple of days there have been a number of reported sightings and searches for Wamoana, and around 3.30pm yesterday (Thursday, 13 November) a police operation was mounted in Levin.

Officers entered a house in Awatea Street and Wamoana was arrested without incident. He will appear at Levin Court this afternoon facing charges of escaping and burglary.

The operation was carried out by local officers; the Armed Offender Squad was not involved.

Media enquiries should be referred to Communications Manager Kim Perks on 027 234 8256.