Jani Väänänen, fugitive from Niuvanniemi Hospital, still at large – police search capital region
Helsinki police have not located Jani Väänänen, who escaped from Niuvanniemi Hospital on 17 September. The man is being actively searched for in the capital region.
No new leads on violent offender Väänänen after one and a half weeks
Helsinki police have not found Jani Väänänen, who escaped from Niuvanniemi Hospital, after more than one and a half weeks of intensive searching. According to Ess.fi, investigating officer and Detective Superintendent Tuomas Lindholm from Helsinki Police Department stated on Monday that the situation remained unchanged.
"There is nothing new to report. He is still at large and we are actively searching," Lindholm said.
According to Lindholm, tips have been received, but conclusive information about Väänänen's movements has not yet emerged. According to police assessment, Väänänen is moving in or around the capital region.
Väänänen escaped from Niuvanniemi during an outdoor activity on Thursday, 17 September. He has an extensive background of violent crime, including a shooting incident on Mechelininkatu in Töölö in September 2025, as well as several unconditional prison sentences.
Born in 2005, Väänänen is 172 centimetres tall, weighs 81 kilograms, and is athletic in appearance. He has short dark hair and brown eyes. He has previously lived on the border between Tuusula and Kerava, as well as in Järvenpää.
Police urge members of the public not to approach Väänänen themselves. Acute sightings should be reported to the emergency centre on 112. Other tips can be sent by email to vä[email protected] or by telephone on 046 922 4651.
Source: Google News FI — Crime (fi)