Samoa police step up manhunt for escaped convict

Police commissioner Fuiavailili Egon Keil is facing four charges including unlawful detention, perjury, providing false statements and disorderly conduct. Photo / Tipi Autagavaia

By RNZ

Police in Samoa have stepped up their search for an escaped convict who has been on the run since January last year, with an armed raid in the early hours of Tuesday.

Police Commissioner Fuiavailili Egon Keil told Talamua Media the raid targeted Pati Chong Nee and another man alleged to have threatened officers by firing a firearm on Monday.

Fuiavailili said the raid took place at Tapatapao, an inland village southwest of Apia.

Escaped convict Pati Chong Nee. Photo / Supplied

Police believed Chong Nee was being harboured there alongside Sosene Asomaliu.

However neither were found.

Police say they acted on intelligence that Chong Nee was still in the area.

During the raid a man was arrested for aiding and harbouring the escaped convict.

He also had in his possession five firearms which were confiscated.

- RNZ