Family ‘planned’ escape
A dangerous suspect fled police custody in a what’s alleged to be a ‘‘preplanned’’ ploy by his family.
Police believe James Maurirere’s escape while he was being seen at Wairarapa Hospital in Masterton last Thursday had been planned out.
Wairarapa area commander Inspector Scott Miller said Maurirere was locked up in the cells at Masterton Police Station when he complained that he was ill on Thursday afternoon.
‘‘He got quite sick, we called an ambulance and he was taken to hospital by police.’’
Maurirere was being treated by medical staff there for about 11⁄2-hours when some family members turned up and police had to deal with them, Miller said.
‘‘While he was being examined, he wasn’t restrained and took an opportunity – just took off and got his way out of the hospital through a rear entrance.’’
Maurirere, 32, of Featherston, was
initially arrested in relation to domestic violence offending.
‘‘Our records show he has had access to weapons before but there’s nothing to suggest he’s got weapons now,’’ Miller said.
Maurirere was still at large yesterday and police officers were carrying out searches in Wairarapa, Manawatu¯ and Wellington.
Miller said the escape was ‘‘one of those unfortunate incidents’’ and they would be reviewing their processes locally around how they guard prisoners needing treatment and whether they assigned more staff in such cases.
‘‘It’s a difficult situation when it’s hard to examine people when they’re in handcuffs.
‘‘It’s a balance between supervising them . . . but allowing medical staff to have full access, because the most important thing at that stage is that person’s health.’’
It appeared the disturbance created by two family members was a pre-planned ploy to try and create an opportunity for Maurirere to escape.
‘‘I would say the family that went, they did that deliberately. I don’t think there’s any doubt about that.
‘‘We’re not getting huge cooperation from the family in relation to him and those people that were at the hospital aren’t cooperating with us.
‘‘I think the family had a plan and they went through with that plan, and he got away.’’
A Wairarapa District Health Board spokeswoman said if the patient was being guarded by police, they were under police control.
‘‘When treating patients under police supervision, we depend on and appreciate the support of the police in maintaining the safety of all concerned.’’
Miller said protections were in place for people who may be at risk from Maurirere’s offending.