UPDATE:
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
2.16PM
THE search for a Warrnambool man who escaped from a justice centre at Malmsbury on Tuesday continues.
Lachlan Mitchell has been described as “seriously dangerous”.
Police believe he may visit the south-west and have urged anyone with information to report it immediately.
The Age reported a young armed robber on crutches had escaped from the youth jail, seemingly by walking out a door and into a waiting car.
Fairfax Media understands Mitchell, 20, was in a wheelchair and then on crutches when he left Malmsbury Youth Justice Centre about 2pm on Tuesday.
Mitchell travelled through Ballarat pursued by police, before heading north towards Avoca and Maryborough on the Sunraysia Highway on Wednesday.
A prison source said Mitchell talked on a telephone in a prison office before casually leaving and getting in a black ute.
UPDATE:
Lachlan Mitchell was last seen heading towards Avoca.
Two police pursuits were conducted in Ballarat on Tuesday afternoon when the young armed robber Lachlan Mitchell, 20, was on the run.
Police media said the first pursuit took place at 2.25pm on Gillies Road but was terminated shortly after the vehicle, a black Holden utility, approached Wendouree.
The second pursuit took place at 2.55pm when the vehicle was seen on Gillies Road again but was called off minutes later.
Mitchell then headed north towards Avoca and Maryborough.
Police are still searching for Mitchell and anyone with information is urged to contact triple zero immediately.
UPDATE:
11.50AM: Have you seen this ute? Police have released this image in the hopes of locating Luke Mitchell.
UPDATE
10AM:
Lachlan Mitchell, who escaped from a justice centre at Malmsbury on Tuesday, has been described as “seriously dangerous”.
Police believe the Warrnambool man may visit the south-west and have urged anyone with information to report it immediately.
However, police have warned people not to approach the vehicle and to contact Triple Zero.
Sergeant Pam Nix, of Hamilton police, urged people to keep an eye out for a black ute with a canopy and South Australian registration plates XAA230.
Mitchell was serving a 12 month sentence for driving and firearms offences.
In September the 20-year-old evaded police for a week.
He was allegedly the driver of a stolen vehicle which collided with a petrol tanker near Camperdown.
He is described as about 175 centimetres tall, with blue eyes, a medium build and short hair.
When he left the facility he was wearing black shorts, a grey t-shirt, black jumper and white runners.
SOUTH-WEST residents are being asked to keep an eye out for a Warrnambool man after he escaped from a youth justice centre on Tuesday afternoon.
Lachlan Mitchell absconded from the facility at Malmsbury around 2pm and was picked up by a black ute with South Australian plates XAA230 which was waiting for him outside the facility.
Detective Leading Senior Constable Wade Andrews of Macedon Ranges police said given Mitchell had previously resided in Warrnambool, south-west residents should be on the lookout and report any sightings to police.
Mitchell is serving a 12-month sentence imposed by the Warrnambool Magistrates Court in March for numerous serious driving, firearm and other offences.
He is 20 years old and described as Caucasian, 175cm tall, medium build, with blue eyes and short hair. He was wearing black shorts, white runners, a grey t-shirt and a black jumper.
Anyone with any information should call 000.