Police suspect that an escaped prisoner may have been involved in an armed hold up at a Nuku’alofa barbecue restaurant last week, when a robber fled with $4000.

Police said yesterday that the description of the offender matched one of the two prisoners that escaped Hu'atolitoli Prison on June 6, 2011.

The escapees Sione Uatekini (25) and Peni 'Inia (21) remain at large.

Deputy Police Commander Taniela Faletau said that based on forensic evidence and witnesses at the scene of the crime at Talahiva Restaurant, in the early hours of the morning, June 8, the offender used a .9mm handgun pistol.

He said that Police are appealing for any information from the community that will help them capture these two men.

The Deputy Police Commander is warning the public not to approach the escaped prisoners and to report any sightings of them.

Prisons

Meanwhile, the Commissioner of Prisons Sione Falemanu said on June 14 they had not received any positive leads as to the location of the two escapees.

The two men were last sighted at Niutoua in the Eastern District of Tongatapu by a member of the public.

“We are actively continuing our search,” he said. The police believe the escapees are being harboured by someone.

There are currently four search teams designated to all areas of Tongatapu joined in by police officers in hunting the two men, he said.