Niuvanniemi escapee Jani Väänänen missing for over two weeks – police search for murder suspect
21-year-old Jani Väänänen, suspected of attempted murder, escaped from the Niuvanniemi forensic psychiatric hospital in Kuopio on 17 September. Police warn against approaching him.
Murder suspect escapee still at large in Kuopio
Jani Väänänen, suspected of attempted murder, has been on the run for over two weeks after escaping from the Niuvanniemi forensic psychiatric hospital in Kuopio on 17 September, mtvuutiset.fi reported. Police are searching for the 21-year-old man and are asking the public for information, but are issuing a clear warning: he should not be approached.
Väänänen was in the hospital for a mental state examination and a dangerousness assessment. The escape occurred during an outdoor exercise period.
Lawyer Kari Eriksson commented on the situation in a Crime Scene Murder Group discussion and assessed that the escape may have been planned.
– This person resisted being ordered to undergo a mental state examination and dangerousness assessment, so he certainly had thoughts of escape in his mind in some way all the time, Eriksson says.
Eriksson also noted that the location of Niuvanniemi hospital makes escape difficult without outside help. Police have stated they suspect that the escapee may have an accomplice.
– The Niuvanniemi area is somewhat remote, and I would think it's quite difficult to leave from there without help, Eriksson assessed.
In the search, police are utilising, among other things, mobile phone location tracking and checks at places the escapee might head to. Criminal investigator Krista Vallila states that police patrols begin a local search immediately when such a case comes to their attention.
Forensic psychiatric hospitals are not as secure as prisons, but nor do prisoners undergoing mental state examinations move about freely. Criminal investigator Petri Rainiala (retired) reminds people that an arrest situation is always a demanding task and citizens should not attempt heroics.
– You shouldn't try to apprehend the person yourself, Rainiala advises.
Experienced police officers estimate that the escapee will be caught before long. Rainiala describes the psychological strain of being on the run.
– It is stressful day after day waiting for the police to come knocking on the door. It's not easy, he says.
Members of the public are asked to report any sightings to police.
Source: Google News FI — Crime (fi)