Drowned and Padded: A Basement Mystery

Article: Jailbird Escape: Man Evades Prison in Møre and Romsdal

A man in his late 30s has escaped from Hustad prison, leaving locals frightened and police on high alert. Here’s what we know so far about the escape and the subsequent manhunt:

Escape Details

• The prisoner, who has been servicing time for multiple serious thefts, managed to escape on Christmas Eve, damaging a window and fence to make his getaway.
• He was reportedly spotted by a family in a nearby town, who found strange items and signs of a recent inhabitant in their home. Police are investigating potential links between this incident and the escaped prisoner.
• "We’re scared, and we want him caught as soon as possible," said a local resident, speaking on condition of anonymity.

Police Response

• Norwegian authorities have activated a nationwide and international search for the escaped prisoner.
• Elias Undersåker Enga, a prosecutor with the Møre and Romsdal police district, confirms that police are treating the case with the highest priority, assigning substantial resources to hunt down the fugitive.
• Enga also addresses concerns about the prisoner’s dangerousness: "Based on our assessment, he isn’t considered a threat to the general public. However, he has shown a clear intention to evade captivity and has experience breaking out of prison."

Possible Hideouts

• Residents in the nearby Bud area suspect the escaped prisoner could be hiding in an abandoned house, given recent signs of occupation. Police have searched the premises without success but continue to monitor the situation.
• "Everyone’s worried. No one wants him lurking around. It’s only a matter of time before someone encounters him," said a local man, who wished to remain anonymous.

Previous Escapes

• This isn’t the first time the prisoner has evaded capture. He has a history of prison escapes and attempted escapes, including:
  1. Escaping a court hearing in Bergen in 2009.
  2. Escaping police custody in 2010, as reported by Haugesunds Avis.
  3. Escaping from a prison transport in 2015, according to Hardanger Folkeblad.
  4. Frequently absconding from asylum centers.

What to Do if You Spot Him

• Police advise the public to remain vigilant and report any suspicious sightings, but not to approach the escaped prisoner. For emergency situations, contact your local police or the Norwegian police emergency number, 02800.

Search Progress

• So far, police have not found any signs of the escaped prisoner in the abandoned house identified by locals. The manhunt continues, with authorities deploying significant resources to track him down.

Stay tuned for updates as the search for the escaped prisoner continues. Contact VG’s journalists securely if you have information about this story.