3 escaped prisoners blamed for crime spree

BRUGES, Belgium, Aug. 2 (UPI) -- Belgian police say three men who escaped from prison in a spectacular helicopter hijacking committed a series of weekend robberies.

A Bruges, Belgium, police spokesman who refused to give his name said the fugitives, identified as Mohammed Johry, Abdel Had Kahjary Mulloul and Ashraf Sekkaki, robbed a bank, a gas station and two storage facilities Saturday, CNN reported.

"In two hours they did four robberies. We think they need money," the officer told CNN, adding that police did not know where the fugitives were.

Interpol said accomplices of the three men commandeered a helicopter last week and forced its pilot to land in a prison courtyard. The chopper pilot, Ludwig Louwagie, told the Belga news agency, "It was just like in a film."

Authorities have called Sekkaki one of Belgium's most dangerous criminals with 16 convictions for violent crimes such as bank robbery and kidnapping.