Kochi: An Ethiopian national, who was taken into custody for illegal overstay, jumped out of the police jeep and fled while it was caught in a traffic jam at Kadavantra on Monday. However, he was soon caught by local residents and handed over to the cops.
Skalles Obie (20) made the attempt when the police was taking him back to the prison handcuffed after producing him before the court. However, as the jeep got trapped in the traffic jam at Kadavantra Junction at 12.45 noon, he managed to get loose and flee after tricking the accompanying police personnel.
The cops chased him and were joined by onlookers as the foreigner entered a near-by house. The local people apprehended him from the house. The accused then pleaded to set him free charging the cops of taking him into custody for no reason and that he was desperate to meet his friend. He was soon handed over to the cops.
The Kadavantra police registered another case against Obie for attempting to escape from police custody. He was produced before the court again for the escape bid and remanded in judicial custody. The Ernakulam Central Police had taken Obie into custody last week upon finding him roaming around the city without any valid documents including passport. The police recovered a hammer and axe from the baggage he was carrying. A case was lodged against him using the provisions of the Foreigner’s Act.
