Escapee turns himself in

By ROSELYN ELLISON
ONE of the 11 escapees who broke out of Kerevat jail, East New Britain, on April 28 surrendered to police on Tuesday.
Valvalu Lane, 38, from Balada village in the Bitapaka local level government (LLG) of Kokopo district was brought in by his brother Cosmas Bauk, who is the Balada ward member, Bitapaka LLG president and ENB Governor.
Lane’s surrender brings the number of escapees recaptured, killed or surrendered to 10 with Henry Penny still at large.
Provincial police commander Chief Insp Joseph Tabali said Lane was taken to Kerevat Jail on Tuesday by Bauk and Kokopo police charged him with escaping lawful custody yesterday.
Lane is in Kerevat and is expected to appear in court this week.
Lane was serving a six-year sentence with hard labour for armed robbery when he escaped.
Chief Insp Tabali said he was pleased that Lane had decided to surrender.
He called on Penny to do the same.
“I am now appealing to one remaining escapee who is at large to surrender to police quickly or otherwise police will look for him,” Tabali said.
“I want escapee Henry Penny to please come forward and surrender to police.”
Penny, 20, is from Rigit village in the Pomio district and had been in remand in Kerevat Jail when he escaped.
Lane’s wife was also arrested and charged with harbouring an escapee and was remanded at Kerevat.
She is expected to appear before the Kokopo District Court after the state of emergency is lifted.