Ronald Ryan - On The Run

On The Run

Ryan and Walker successfully eluded their pursuers outside Pentridge Prison and drove away on O'Hea Street before changing cars. They then made their way south following the Moonee Ponds Creek to change cars again before hiding in a safe house in Kensington provided by Norman Harold Murray. The following day the men moved into Christine Aitken's flat in Ormond Road, Elwood.

The prison escape dominated newspapers and other media. One newspaper reported that, " Ronald Ryan, serving time for burglary, seized a prison officer and shot him three times, twice in the chest and once in the back." Reports of their activities caused widespread anxiety.

On 23 December, Ryan (armed with the warden's rifle) and Walker robbed an ANZ bank in North Road, Ormond. Ryan herded 13 people into the bank's strongroom and stole £4500 (Australian). A witness, June Crawford, told reporters, "a bandit told me 'This gun shot a man a few days ago.'"

On 24 December 1965, the Victorian Government announced a £5,000 (A$10,000) reward for information leading to the capture of Ryan and Walker. It was reported in The Age newspaper that the Chief Secretary and Attorney General, Arthur Rylah, had issued a warning to the escapees that the killing of Hodson during the prison escape was the worst Victoria had known and that the "Hanging Act was still in force."

On 24 December (Christmas Eve), there was a party at the flat. Petty criminal John Fisher, who knew Ryan and Arthur Henderson (Aitken's boyfriend) were there. After all their beer had been consumed, Walker and Henderson left to find sly-grog in Albert Park for more drinks. An hour later Walker returned alone to the flat. He had killed Henderson in a Middle Park toilet block. Henderson was shot in the back of his head by Walker. The escapees left the flat and returned to Kensington. On 26 December, Aitken and another woman were charged with harbouring the criminals. They came forward after Henderson was killed and the escapees had left. The charges were later dropped.

The pair returned to hiding in the basement of the house in Kensington. Murray was given money to buy a car in Sydney and return with it. Murray returned with the car with Queensland plates on 31 December (New Year's Eve). Ryan and Walker left for Sydney on 1 January 1966 (New Year's Day) and arrived on 2 January.