Escaped convict nabbed in Paphos

AN ESCAPED convict, was overpowered and arrested in a Paphos kebab house as he attempted a shoot-out with police officers on Sunday.

Razia Demlos, 22, had escaped from custody on January 6 while visiting his sick mother at her home, where he managed to give the police officers guarding him the slip. He escaped through the toilet window and has been on the run ever since.

Demlos was caught by Drug Squad officers in the Paphos District, after he was recognised sitting outside a restaurant.

Members of YKAN, the anti-drugs arm of the police force, had been keeping the convict under surveillance, since noticing him around Paphos. Demlos, who had altered his appearance since his escape, resisted arrest as the officers swooped on his table late on Sunday afternoon.

He fought with police, wounding four of them, before pulling out a pistol and arming it, in an attempt to shoot them. Officers brought him to the ground and wrestled the gun off him before handcuffing him. The convicted bank robber had another gun in his possession, along with twenty-four bullets, mace spray, a large amount of cash and keys to a car. The vehicle was found to be have been stolen from Larnaca.

Assistant police chief of Paphos, said the officers had an excellent response to the situation and resolved a dangerous incident in a safe and brave manner. He also praised the men for not drawing their weapons and firing when Deplos had pulled a gun on them.

Demlos is wanted for questioning regarding another bank robbery in Nicosia, where his DNA was found at the scene. According to information the escaped convict had been planning a string of other robberies before his capture.

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