Yesterday, Northern Territory Police successfully apprehended two male prisoners who escaped custody from NT Corrections in the early hours of the morning.
At around 4:50am, officers responded to reports of two men spotted escaping through a first-floor window of the Darwin City Correctional Facility. Thanks to the sharp work of CCTV operators, the men were quickly tracked as they fled towards Tomaris Court and down Daly Street to evade capture.
Shortly after, the fugitives stole a Hilux from a residence in Parap and headed to a service station in Noonamah along the Stuart Highway. There, they refuelled the stolen vehicle using a credit card found inside to make purchases.
Through investigative methods and the assistance of members of the public, the stolen Hilux was later intercepted as it attempted to cross Bul Bul Bridge, heading west towards Wadeye. Daly River members successfully deployed Tyre Deflation Devices on the vehicle, forcing the offenders to abandon it and flee into nearby bushland.
Despite their efforts to evade capture, both offenders were sighted attempting to flag down vehicles and were later apprehended without incident.
The men, dehydrated and suffering from heat exhaustion, were taken to Daly River Clinic for treatment before being transported to the Palmerston Watch House.
Both men are facing multiple charges, including escape from lawful custody, damage to property, driving a vehicle without consent, and making off without payment, among others.
Commander Danny Bacon praised the tireless efforts of all involved, stating "This was a textbook example of exceptional police work.
"The seamless coordination across multiple units, including Crime, Strike Force Trident, Dog Operations, Territory Response Group, CCTV Operators and our Remote Stations allowed us to respond quickly and effectively. Our Dog Operations unit worked tirelessly, tracking the offenders through dense bushland for hours, and their persistence was key to the final capture.
"The dedication of our members on the ground, combined with the invaluable support from members of the public, ensured that these men, who were sentenced for serious domestic violence charges, were brought back into custody swiftly and safely."
*Small snippet of body worn tracking footage available to media upon request*
