Pacific

Samoa public warned about escaped prisoners

12:41 pm on 6 February 2019

The police in Samoa are still searching for two prisoners who escaped from Tafaigata prison more than two weeks ago.

Aniseko Vaelei and Pati Chong Nee. Photo: Supplied

The public has been warned not to approach Pati Chong Nee or Aniseko Vaelei because they are armed - but the police did not say what weapons the pair is carrying.

The escapees were caught on security camera breaking into a shop at Moamoa on Monday morning, when they appeared to be trying to disguise themselves by wearing military-style clothes, hoodies, baseball cap and sunglasses.

Both men have escaped custody before.

While serving a sentence for theft and burglary, Chong Nee escaped Tafaigata prison in 2015 and evaded police for a year before being captured in May 2016.

Vaelei was one of four prisoners who escaped from Tafaigata shortly before Christmas 2017 but was captured in early January 2018.