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Police are warning members of the public not to harbour three fugitives who escaped from a Corrections van on the southern motorway on Friday.
The incident happened about 2.40pm near the Ellerslie-Panmure Highway off-ramp.
The three men – Zane Hepi, 24, Billy Fepulea’i, 43, and 45-year-old Joseph Ng Wun –are considered dangerous and should not be approached.
Detective Senior Sergeant Scott Armstrong issued a warning to the public on Saturday afternoon to not conceal the whereabouts of the escapees.
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“Our focus remains on locating the prisoners; however, we would like to remind people that anyone who is helping these men avoid police could be liable for criminal charges.”
Police have a dedicated team of officers working to locate them, he said.
The three men are considered dangerous and should not be approached, Armstrong said.
The men fled on foot from a transport van on the South-Eastern highway Friday afternoon, before stealing a vehicle from a member of the public.
Police/Stuff
Prisoners Billy Fepulea’i, Joseph Ng Wun, and Zane Hepi are on the run.
On Friday, Superintendent Shanan Gray said the van was heading north towards the Mt Eden Corrections Facility when the prisoners fled on foot.
The three prisoners ran towards the South-Eastern Highway where they stole a car.
”Police have since been notified and our staff are making inquiries to locate these individuals, including support from the Police Air Support Unit, Eagle,” Gray said on Friday.
The three men were remanded into custody on Friday morning from court and were being transported in a First Security prisoner escort van, said Corrections’ chief custodial officer Neil Beales.
“Public safety is our top priority. Any escape is unacceptable and an immediate review into how this incident occurred will be carried out,” Beales said.
A First Security spokesperson said the team immediately notified the relevant authorities.
“Public safety is our priority and we are working with the Department of Corrections and NZ Police in resolving this incident.
“We will also be working in co-operation with the Department of Corrections on the incident review.”
All First Security employees were safe and uninjured, they added.
On Saturday afternoon, armed police stopped a car on SH1 near Pohuehue as the inhabitants were believed to be related to the prison escapees, police said.
“Two people have been arrested on matters unrelated to the escape and are helping police with inquiries.”
The vehicle was stopped without issue, police said.
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