Eight Venezuelan Detainees Remain At Large After Immigration Centre Escape

A large-scale multi-agency search operation remains underway as eight Venezuelan immigration detainees remain at large following an escape from the Immigration Detention Centre over the weekend.

Police report that on Saturday, July 18th, around 3:40pm, detention officers, investigating reports of smoke in a male housing unit, were allegedly assaulted and overpowered by detainees. Fourteen men then escaped through the western side of the compound and over the southern perimeter fence.

Law enforcement officers responded immediately, recapturing four escapees within minutes. A fifth detainee was arrested early Sunday morning in Wallerfield and returned to custody.