Escapee charged with rape recaptured

 A MAN who escaped from Buiebi Prison in May 2011 has been recaptured.

Paul Kumei Rambo was one of the 151 prisoners in the Southern Highlands who broke out of the jail. 

Another escapee was recaptured by Mendi police a few weeks ago.

Rambo had been in prison for a series of offences, including rape. 

He ran away before he was charged for stealing a police vehicle and harassing three police officers.

Southern Highlands provincial police Commander Supt Sibron Papoto said Rambo was aided by some people in Mendi Town.

Papoto said police acting on a tip-off found Rambo hiding in a container.

“This is the second arrest of prison escapees. John Pius Kawage, who was serving 17 years for armed robbery, was arrested by police during the pre-Christmas operation and is detained at the Mendi police station cell,” he said.

“On the May 3, 2011, between 11pm and 2am, Rambo and three of his mates masterminded the prison breakout. 

“They took with them three rifles, two shotguns, one gas gun, 39 bullets,  20 cartridges and two projectors.”

He said none of the weapons had been recovered.

Most of the escapees are still at large.

“There are other hard core criminals still on the run. 

“They are very dangerous to the community and people must not aid them. 

“If you are afraid to report directly, you can call me on 549 1087 or the officer in charge (OIC) criminal investigation division (CID) on 5491377,” he said.

Meanwhile, 36 escapees of the recent prison outbreak at Buiebi, Southern Highlands, are still at large and police in Mendi are doing all they can do to recapture them.