WA: British tourists robbed at gunpoint on arrival

AAP General News (Australia)
12-01-1998
WA: British tourists robbed at gunpoint on arrival

PERTH, Dec 1 AAP - Perth police said a dangerous prison escapee may have been one of three
assailants to rob a British couple at gunpoint today only moments after the pair had arrived
in the country for a holiday.

Convicted armed robber James Lindsay Charles Ryder is suspected of being one of a trio that
held up the couple at Perth international airport in the early hours of this morning.

Ryder, 25, remains at large after escaping from Wooroloo Prison Farm on Sunday.

Police Superintendent Graham Lamp said one man had grabbed the British couples
granddaughter in the airport carpark while the others, armed with a sawn-off shotgun and a
baton, ransacked the boot of her car for luggage and cash.

"Ive never heard of it before ... not like this with someone coming from overseas ...
tourists ... its very disturbing," Supt Lamp told journalists.

The offenders smashed through a security barrier and fled, evading police.

The family was shaken but unhurt by the incident.

Supt Lamp admitted security at the airport was lacking, and promised police would step up
their presence there.

"This is a rather disturbing trend. We intend to put in extra surveillance in the area,
working with the airport people, and also tighten up on the barriers and gates out there," he
said.

Premier Richard Court was worried the incident could have a negative impact on tourism to
Western Australia from Europe.

"The last thing we want to do is send the message to those markets that that sort of
activity is happening," he told journalists.

Supt Lamp repeated yesterdays warning against approaching Ryder, who was described as
extremely dangerous with a long history of violent crime.

He was described as 184cm tall with dark hair and skin and blue eyes.

AAP kbw/was/de

KEYWORD: ESCAPE (CARRIED EARLIER)

1998 AAP Information Services Pty Limited (AAP) or its Licensors.