Alleged prison escapee's long list of charges revealed

Police have charged the prison escapee with multiple offences, including evasion after he spent a week on the run

TUESDAY 6AM: LUI Tiaaleaiga's long list of charges has been revealed following a week-on the run.

Tiaaleaiga escaped from police custody at the Rockhampton Hospital on July 27 and spent over a week evading police.

During his time on the run, he even made a trip to South-East Queensland, allegedly driving to Brisbane and back before being captured on Saturday in Gladstone.

Police have confirmed the 26-year-old has been charged with one count each of escape lawful custody, unlawful use of a motor vehicle, stealing, stealing of a vehicle, serious assault of a police officer, unlawful entry of vehicle for committing an indictable offence used/threatened violence and dangerous operation of a vehicle and adversely affected by an intoxicating substance.

He was also charged with two counts of evasion.

Tiaaleaiga is expected to appear in Rockhampton Magistrates Court on August 19.

MONDAY: A ROCKHAMPTON prison escapee allegedly visited Brisbane while Central Queensland police were frantically trying to put him back behind bars.

In his seven days on the run Lui Matalio Dylan Tiaaleaiga travelled to South-East Queensland before returning north where he was captured at Gladstone on Saturday.

Those actions will contribute to a number of charges Mr Tiaaleaiga is expected to receive later.

Mr Tiaaleaiga appeared in Rockhampton Magistrates Court this morning after charged with escape lawful custody.

He was shackled for the safety of court attendees, sported bandages to his right hand, left knee and left foot while wearing shorts, t-shirt and thongs. Mr Tiaaleaiga also had a black eye.

Colts Dylan Tiaaleaiga brushes aside Gladstone defenders.Photo Allan Reinikka / The Morning Bulletin. Picture: Allan Reinikka ROK310514arugby1

Defence lawyer Shaune Irving said he spoke with Rockhampton's Crime Investigation Bureau before court and was informed more charges were to be laid in the coming days.

Magistrate Jeff Clarke said Mr Tiaaleaiga had indicated last time he was in Mr Clarke's court room that he was disputing other charges that were to mentioned again on September 11.

No bail application was made with Mr Tiaaleaiga remanded in custody and the escape lawful custody case, along with expected extra charges, set to be mentioned next on August 19.

Detective inspector Darrin Shadlow said several charges ranging from dangerous driving to escaping police custody will be laid.

He said Mr Tiaaleaiga's travels will be investigated by police, which will contribute to the charges.

"We do believe he headed south to Brisbane around that area for some time," Det insp Shadlow said.

Mr Tiaaleaiga's lawyer acted as a mediator between police and the escapee throughout his travels, but the offender fought for his freedom until his arrest.

"We had spoken with his solicitor a number of times who was trying to negotiate the male person to surrender to police, unfortunately that didn't eventuate," he said.

He was arrested on the corner of Dawson Highway and Aerodrome Road after several police pursuits throughout the morning.

The offender was driving south near Mount Larcom when he was first spotted by police.

Police unsuccessfully attempted twice to use stingers to stop the vehicle.

"He drove around both of those," Det insp Shadlow said.

The police pursuit continued until the offender allegedly drove through a red light at speed, which caused the officers to terminate the chase.

An hour later the stolen vehicle was spotted again and police took chase. He ran into two police cars and civilian vehicles before coming to a halt.

Det insp Shadlow said anyone who helped the offender escape will also pay the consequences.

"If we find sufficient evidence that people has assisted or enabled him to escape custody or commit offences we will prefer charges against those people," he said.

Lui Tiaaleaiga escaped from police custody on Sunday, July 28, while undergoing treatment at Rockhampton Base Hospital.

2pm: ROCKHAMPTON prison escapee Lui 'Dylan' Tiaaleaiga allegedly visited Brisbane while Central Queensland Police were frantically trying to put him back behind bars.

Tiaaleaiga was on the run for seven days and travelled to south-east Queensland before returning north where he was captured in Gladstone on Saturday.

Those actions will contribute to a number of charges he is expected to receive later today.

Detective Inspector Darrin Shadlow said several charges, ranging from dangerous driving to escaping police custody, will be laid.

FLASHBACK: Colts' Dylan Tiaaleaiga playing football in 2014. Photo Allan Reinikka / The Morning Bulletin. Picture: Allan Reinikka ROK100514arugby3

He said Tiaaleaiga's travels would be investigated by police and would contribute to the charges.

"We do believe he headed south to Brisbane around that area for some time," Det Insp Shadlow said.

While he was on the run, Detectives spoke with his lawyer "number of times", who was acting as a mediator and trying to negotiate with Tiaaleaiga to surrender, but that wasn't to happen.

He was arrested on the corner of Dawson Highway and Aerodrome Road in Gladstone after several police pursuits throughout the morning.

Tiaaleaiga was driving south near Mount Larcom when he was first spotted by police who tried twice, unsuccessfully, to use stingers to stop the vehicle.

"He drove around both of those," Det Insp Shadlow said.

The police pursuit continued until the offender allegedly drove through a red light at speed, at which point the officers terminated the chase.

An hour later the stolen vehicle was spotted again and police took chase. Tiaaleaiga ran into two police cars and civilian vehicles before coming to a halt.

Tiaaleaiga allegedly tried to steal a car by pulling a driver from their vehicle before he has tasered and arrested by police.

Det Insp Shadlow said anyone who helped the offender escape would also pay the consequences.

"If we find sufficient evidence that people have assisted or enabled him to escape custody or commit offences, we will refer charges against those people," he said.

Lui Tiaaleaiga escaped from police custody on Sunday, July 28, while undergoing treatment at Rockhampton Base Hospital.

More to come.

Originally published as Alleged prison escapee's long list of charges revealed