A dangerous criminal on the run since his daring escape from police four days ago has been re-arrested following a stabbing in central Wollongong on Sunday.
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Police were called to Corrimal Street after reports a man was attacked with an axe.
The 52-year-old victim suffered lacerations to his back and had several fingers severed.
The victim was treated by emergency services and taken to Wollongong Hospital with non-life threatening injuries.
A witness reported seeing a man lying on his stomach in Corrimal Street around 3.40pm.
‘’It looked as though he received stab wounds to his back and hand,’’ the witness said.
‘’He was conscious and talking though, but there was a lot of blood on his shirt and the bandages.’’
Police sources say the victim may have been in the company of 43-year-old Jason Rees who escaped from police custody at Wollongong Hospital on Thursday.
Following inquiries into the incident, police attended a home on Banks Street, Wollongong, when they saw a Rees leaving the location on foot.
He was pursued by officers and was arrested nearby on Church Street.
Rees was initially arrested on Thursday over firearm and assault offences following an incident in Woonona.
Police allege the offences involved the production of a firearm and the assault of two people, including a child.
Rees was at Wollongong Hospital for treatment to an injury sustained prior to his arrest when, about 6pm on Thursday, he fled from the emergency department on foot – and in handcuffs.
Wollongong police acting crime manager Detective Inspector Brad Ainsworth said on Friday morning that Rees went to “great lengths” to flee the hospital.
“He’s kicked a door out and he’s run off,” he said.
On Sunday he was taken to Wollongong Police Station. It is expected he will be charged with a number of offences for Sunday’s incident and last week’s escaping lawful custody and other firearms offences.
