29th September 2016 A 54yr old man, Mr. Dean Jay Fletcher, currently awaiting charges of murder escaped from police custody at Vava’u Police Station at approximately 3.30am this morning, 29th September 2016.
Police confirmed Fletcher has used his own yacht to enable his escape.
At 06.00am Police on board the Police Boat “Kapakau ‘O Tafahi” located the escaped prisoner and his yacht at approximately 6 – 10 miles Northwest of Vava’u and are attempting to apprehend him.
The escaped prisoner is refusing to stop and making threats to himself and police officers, which has not allowed for a safe boarding at this stage. Further assistance has been dispatched to the area.
Commissioner Steve Caldwell says that the full circumstances of Fletcher’s escape will be investigated but at this stage our priority is to safely apprehend and return Mr. Fletcher to custody.
ENDS
Issued by the: Tonga Police Media & Communication Officer, Tonga Police Headquarters, Longolongo, (676) 23 318, (676) 23 323 Fax: (676) 23 036; for media enquiries – Email: siaadams@police.gov.to or siaadams@gmail.com