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Escaped axe killer John Frederick Ericson had last night managed to evade a police cordon and was still on the run after slipping away from a Wellington Prison working party.
Ericson escaped yesterday morning, sparking a manhunt. Police called in Army helicopters and used tracker dogs. The armed offenders squad was deployed as well.
The 45-year-old, who is 1.8m tall, was last seen wearing prison-issue grey trackpants with the letters WRP stencilled on the side, a grey sweatshirt top and black workboots.
A police cordon on the Miramar Peninsula - which included seven roadblocks - was lifted about 6pm.
Ericson was jailed for life after pleading guilty in April 2000 to the murder of his wife, Sandra. Ericson bashed her head with a tomahawk as she slept, later telling a police telephone operator he did it as he owed money and was out of work.
Miramar resident Mike Walker last night told the Herald he got home from work about 4pm to find his road blocked off by police. Mr Walker, a builder, said there were about four armed officers and two police cars on his street, which is about half a kilometre from the prison.
Though police do not believe Ericson to be armed, the public is warned not to approach him.
Investigation head Detective Senior Sergeant Scott Miller said police stations in other areas had been alerted as Ericson was known to have links with the Blenheim area, as well as Greater Wellington and Auckland.
National Party justice and corrections spokesman Simon Power said the escape was a nice welcome to the portfolio for incoming Corrections Minister Phil Goff.
- additional reporting: NZPA
