Prison escapee Pati Chong Nee is still on the run, six weeks after dashing for freedom after a Sunday church service at Tafaigata Prison.

His accomplice Aniseko Vaelei was captured over a week ago with the assistance of the public with the Police also recovering $10,000 cash.

The two convicted criminals – prior to the capture of Vaelei – robbed a shop at Moamoa, and invaded the home of a University of South Pacific (USP Alafua) lecturer, and stole his family’s personal effects. 

The Samoa Police Service confirmed last month it was investigating a home invasion at Vailoa, Faleata on February 21. Two boys of Samoan origins are connected to the home invasion case and robbery of the One-on-One shop owners in the same area. The Police said they couldn’t make a connection between the shop robbery and the convicted thieves and robbers, Vaelei and Chong Nee.  

When Vaelei was captured, the Police said they had leads on the whereabouts of Chong Nee, but to date are yet to make any arrest.

The Police have appealed to the public not to approach Chong Nee as he is considered armed and dangerous. He is 25-years-old and comes from the villages of Aleisa and Vaitele Fou and was serving time for theft and burglary. 

Members of the public have been urged to contact any nearby Police stations or the prisons main headquarters and the Ola Toe Fuataina at Tafaigata with the contact numbers: 23516, 22208 and 21008, concerning any information relating to the escaped prisoner – due to the severity of crimes he was charged with.

Attempts by the Samoa Observer at the weekend to get comments from the Prisons and Correctional Services and the Police were unsuccessful.