A nationwide manhunt was launched last night to capture James Allen, 35, who is the prime suspect in Middlesbrough and Whitby murder cases.
A team of police inspectors from Cleveland and North Yorkshire combed Teesside and Whitby yesterday to track down Allen who the detectives believe is linked to both the murders.
“We now believe the Middlesbrough murder is linked to the murder that took place in Whitby – two brutal murders in the victims’ own homes”, head of crime operations Gordon Lang said.
Lang also called on the public to help police trace the suspect before any further attack. He termed the two fatal attacks as “callous acts”, saying that perpetrator cannot be allowed to be on the loose.
James Allen’s name is already in the police records that describe him as a 5ft 7in tall bald man with tattoos on both arms. Officers are asking the public not to approach him but to inform police without delay.
A bounty of up to £5,000 has been offered for information on Allen, according to sources. He is in the most wanted list of the Cleveland police department not just for the murders of Colin Dunford and Julie Davidson, but also for a number of other criminal offences.
“We are looking at Allen’s potential involvement in a number of other offences, but the focus right now is on catching him”, said an official involved in the manhunt.
It may be noted that Colin Dunford, the 81-year-old pensioner from Middlesbrough, was found dead at his place in Leven Street on Monday while the body of the second victim, the 50-year-old Ms Davison, was recovered two days later from an apartment in Church Square.
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