South Coast Police are searching for a teenager who escaped custody at the Nowra Courthouse on Thursday afternoon.
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The 17-year-old male was in the custody of Juvenile Justice when he made his flight for freedom around 12.30pm.
It is understood the youth, who was facing three charges of common assault, damaging property and larceny in Nowra Children’s Court, escaped as he was being taken from the courthouse.
Juvenile Justice NSW said it is understood the teenager escaped through an “unlocked door” on the western side of the complex, where prisoner transports were parked.
“It is understood that a door was left unlocked. That is subject to a police investigation,” a Juvenile Justice spokesperson said.
The teenager ran from the precinct, jumped a nearby fence and was last seen running through the playground of the adjacent Nowra Public School.
South Coast Police from Nowra rushed to the scene, with a number of officers searching the area for the teenager but unable to find him.
He’s described as Aboriginal, between 170-175cm tall, thin build about 70kg, short dark hair and was wearing prison greens without shoes.
Juvenile Justice NSW is investigating the circumstances surrounding the incident.
“Juvenile Justice is cooperating with NSW Police to apprehend the escapee,” the spokesperson said.
“The detainee is understood to have scaled a mesh fence and Nowra Police were immediately alerted,” the spokesperson said.
Anyone with information can contact Nowra Police on 4421 9699 or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
Robert Crawford
Robert Crawford is a senior journalist at the South Coast Register, for Australian Community Media . Everyone's got a story, what's yours? Email robert.crawford@austcommunitymedia.com.au
Robert Crawford is a senior journalist at the South Coast Register, for Australian Community Media . Everyone's got a story, what's yours? Email robert.crawford@austcommunitymedia.com.au
