B.C. Convicts Caught After Daring Escape

AGASSIZ, B.C.

Two convicts who escaped from a maximum-security prison in a hijacked helicopter threw down their weapons and surrendered on the shore of a rocky island, ending a two-day manhunt, police said.

The surrender came last night as dozens of police surrounded their Echo Island hideout with boats and planes. The search continued for an unidentified accomplice who hijacked the helicopter that sprang them to freedom.

Robert Ford, a convicted murderer, and David Thomas, serving time for armed robbery, threw their guns in the water and waded into Harrison Lake, their hands held high in surrender.

Their capture on the small island four miles from Harrison Hot Springs ended a two-day search.

Ford, 32, and Thomas, 24, had escaped Monday from the Kent maximum-security prison less than 10 miles away.

Staff Sgt. Sid Slater of the RCMP detachment in Agassiz said he doubted the accomplice was still on the island.