Handcuffed man escapes CBD police station

Police were sent into a panic, and city-goers watched on as a topless man in handcuffs casually escaped from the Flinders St police station earlier today.

A topless man in handcuffs freely walked from Swanston Street police station before panic set in.

A shirtless drunk has slipped out of a CBD police cell and wandered the streets in handcuffs in a security bungle witnessed by shocked onlookers.

The man, dressed in a red beanie, grey trackies and hands cuffed behind his back, wandered out of the Flinders Street police station today without officers noticing.

He managed to walk about 150 metres toward St Paul’s Cathedral before panic set in.

Police rushed from the station and searched for the man.

A photo taken by the Herald Sun shows the man being led into a divisional van by police.

The escape unfolded in a high pedestrian area, and was witnessed by stunned onlookers.

Police received reports of an intoxicated man urinating in Flinders Street this morning.

He was arrested and put in a police holding cell shortly after 10.20am.

A Victoria Police spokesperson said police “inadvertently” unlocked the cell, allowing his escape.

“Whilst in the cell, the door was inadvertently released by police and the man left the holding area and crossed the road,” said the spokesperson.

“He was immediately taken back into custody and was later charged with drunk and disorderly and received a penalty notice.”

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