NSW:Search for Naden hampered by bad weather

AAP General News (Australia)
12-08-2011
NSW:Search for Naden hampered by bad weather

SYDNEY, Dec 8 AAP - Bad weather is hampering a police search for one of the most wanted
men in NSW.

Police helicopters have been unable to take to the air on Thursday because of low visibility,
and remain on standby near Nowendoc in northern NSW.

Malcolm Naden is believed to be on foot, armed and dangerous, after he eluded police
closing in on a campsite in bushland on Wednesday.

A 33-year-old police officer was shot in the shoulder during the operation.

A State Crime Command spokeswoman told AAP that police helicopters had been grounded
all day on Thursday.

But despite bad weather hobbling the air search, officers on the ground are ploughing
through wild terrain hunting for Naden, who is described as a master bushman.

NSW Police Commissioner Andrew Scipione says he's confident Naden will be found, and
has warned that police will shoot if threatened.

"Our aim is to take this man into custody and put him before the courts," Mr Scipione
told ABC Radio on Thursday.

"If, however, we get to the point where an officer has to defend himself or herself,
then we'll take whatever course is necessary to ensure that they are safe."

Naden disappeared from his grandparents' home in west Dubbo in June 2005, days before
24-year-old mother-of-two Kristy Scholes was found strangled in his bedroom.

He is also wanted over the indecent assault of a 15-year-old girl in Dubbo in 2004,
and for questioning over the disappearance of another 24-year-old woman in January 2005.

There's a $100,000 reward for information that leads to his capture and conviction.

Naden, 38, is described as being of Aboriginal appearance, 177cm tall with a medium
build, brown eyes and possibly a moustache and/or beard.

AAP ih/tr/sn/wjf

KEYWORD: NADEN 2ND UPDATE

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