3 on the run after mass breakout from Australian juvenile prison
Xinhua, January 26, 2017 Adjust font size:
Three youth offenders who escaped from an Australian youth justice center remained on the run, police said Thursday.
About 15 offenders escaped from the Malmsbury Youth Justice Centre, 100 kilometers northwest of Melbourne, after a riot at the facility on Wednesday afternoon.
Most of the escapees fled the area in stolen cars.
Six escapees were captured shortly after leaving the facility when the car they had stolen collided with a police car after a pursuit and two more were later captured on foot.
Three remain on the run after Shane Patton, Victoria Police deputy commissioner, confirmed that four of the seven who eluded police overnight were arrested at 8 a.m. local time on Thursday.
Rick Nugent, Victoria Police Assistant Commissioner, said investigations suggested the group managed to escape after overpowering a member of staff at the detention center.
"What seems to have taken place is they have assaulted a staff member and taken the staff member's keys and slash cards and with the use of those cards and keys they have managed to breach certain areas of the facility," Nugent told reporters on Thursday.
Nugent said police believe the three remaining escapees are split into two vehicles.
"It's just a matter of time before they are taken into custody again and put back into a facility," he said. Endit