Violent inmate still on the loose

Police say Lex Miller is possibly in the Bay of Plenty. Photo / NZ Herald

Police will today continue to hunt for a violent inmate who has been on the loose since Thursday, when he escaped from Rangipo Prison, south of Turangi.

Taupo police yesterday issued an arrest warrant for Lex Miller, which covered charges relating to his escape from custody, as well as the theft of a car, Detective Senior Sergeant Todd Pearce said.

A police spokesman told NZPA this morning that Miller remained at large.

Miller escaped from Rangipo Prison about 2.15pm on Thursday and was believed to be driving a 1994 Silver Toyota Camry sedan, registration TC7281.

He is described as Caucasian, about 173cm tall and of medium build and was last seen wearing a tan shirt, blue jeans and white sports shoes.

Police have appealed for information on Miller's whereabouts, or sightings of the car he was believed to be driving yesterday.

"Miller has family connections in the Eastern Bay of Plenty, and particularly Whakatane, but we are keeping an open mind about his whereabouts," Mr Pearce said.

Miller was considered dangerous and should not be approached, Mr Pearce said.

"If you see him or his car, please call 111 immediately."

In 2008, Miller was convicted in the High Court at Rotorua of attempting to kill his wife.

The pair had been separated for six months when he kidnapped her and gassed her in her car.

He had hidden in her vehicle until she had finished work, then bound her hands and feet with tape. He had planned to kill himself at the same time, but left when his eyes began to hurt.

His wife was able to free herself by using her feet to retrieve a pair of nail scissors from the glove box, sat on them to hide them, and finally cut her bindings after he had left.

She drove away with her feet still bound, crashed through a gate and called police.

Miller was sentenced to seven years and eight months in prison.

- NZPA