NT Police capture two escaped prisoners from Darwin Watch House on Knuckey St

Police have revealed how they tracked down a pair of violent DV offenders during their 12-hour escape from a Darwin watch house, which ended with the men exhausted and suffering from heat stroke. Find out how they were captured.

Latest, September 12: Police have revealed how they tracked down a pair of violent DV offenders during their 12-hour-long escape from a Darwin watch house, which ended with the men exhausted and suffering from heat stroke.

The pair escaped through a first-floor window of the Darwin City Correctional Facility on Knuckey St on the morning of September 11, in a getaway that involved bed sheets and a broken window.

The pair were seen escaping by a member of the public.

Police in their statement said CCTV operators tracked the men as they fled towards Tomaris Court and down Daly St to evade capture.

Police allege the fugitives then stole a HiLux from a residence in Parap before driving to a service station in Noonamah along the Stuart Highway.

There they refuelled the HiLux and used a credit card they found in the car to make purchases.

The allegedly stolen HiLux then tried to cross the Bul Bul Bridge on route towards Wadeye.

Tyre deflation devices forced the alleged offenders to abandon the HiLux where they fled into bushland.

The escapees were spotted trying to flag down vehicles and were later taken into custody.

The men were taken to the Daly River Clinic for treatment after their journey left them dehydrated and suffering from heat exhaustion.

Both men are facing multiple charges, including escape from lawful custody, damage to property, driving a vehicle without consent, and making off without payment, among others.

Corrections Commissioner Matthew Varley assesses the scene after two prisoners allegedly escaped custody from the Darwin watch house. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

Commander Danny Bacon said the efforts of those involved in the recapture of the prisoners “was a textbook example of exceptional police work”.

“The seamless co-ordination across multiple units, allowed us to respond quickly and effectively,” he said.

“Our Dog Operations unit worked tirelessly, tracking the offenders through dense bushland for hours, and their persistence was key to the final capture.

“The dedication of our members on the ground, combined with the invaluable support from members of the public, ensured that these men, who were sentenced for serious domestic violence charges, were brought back into custody swiftly and safely.”

Violent DV offenders recaptured after Darwin prison breakout

Earlier, September 11: Two violent offenders who were on the run for 12 hours on Wednesday after an early morning Darwin CBD prison break involving bed sheets and a broken window panel, have been recaptured by Northern Territory Police.

NT Police confirmed both men were taken into custody just before 5pm.

Earlier in the day, Commander Daniel Bacon APM said the men, aged 19 and 24, had been sentenced for “serious domestic violence-related offences” and were serving time in the Darwin Watch House.

Commander Bacon alleged the West Daly men broke out of the Knuckey St police prison about 4.50am Wednesday.

He said their alleged escape had been reported to police by a member of the public.

Police ere on the hunt for two prisoners who allegedly escaped custody in Darwin. An NT Police spokesman said the two men fled the Darwin Watch House on Knuckey St about 4.50am Wednesday.

Police were on the hunt for two prisoners who allegedly escaped custody in Darwin. An NT Police spokesman said the two men fled the Darwin Watch House on Knuckey St about 4.50am Wednesday.

He said it was unclear how the prisoners removed a panel of the window grate, but it appeared they had used bedsheets to aid their escape through the window.

“We have engaged with the victims of those offenders to make sure that we provide the necessary support and safety for them while we try to reapprehend them,” he said.

“The last information that we received via CCTV was that they were heading down Daly St towards the One Mile area – that was early hours of Wednesday morning.

“We currently do not know their whereabouts.”

Police presence surrounding One Mile Dam following prisoner escape from the Darwin Watch House

Mr Bacon said the NT Police crime team was spearheading one part of the investigation as to how the prisoners escaped, while NT Corrections was leading a separate investigation.

He said Strike Force Trident and the dog squad were aiding with the search.

NT Police officers prepare operate a drone at the Darwin CBD Watch House on Knuckey Street on September 11, 2024.

NT Police officers prepare to operate a drone at the Darwin CBD Watch House on Knuckey Street on September 11, 2024 after two prisoners allegedly escaped through a window. Photo: Sierra Haigh

The prisoners were last seen wearing dark shorts and thongs – with one shirtless and the other wearing a green t-shirt.

It is understood police and the dog squad were actively patrolling parts of the Daly River region, where both men are from, with a community member reporting a police block at the Daly River bridge about 1pm Wednesday.

Mr Bacon said several vehicles had been stolen on Wednesday morning and police were making “active inquiries” to determine if the missing prisoners were involved.

Clothes and fabric are seen hanging out of a window at the Knuckey St Watch House in Darwin CBD after two prisoners allegedly escaped custody on September 11. Picture: Supplied

He deferred any questions about the appropriateness of watch houses being used to hold long term prisoners to NT Corrections.

Corrections Commissioner Matthew Varley previously told the NT News about 40 men were split between the watch house’s 16 cells – an average of two or three to a cell.

The Productivity Commission reported the Territory had the highest rate of prison escapes in the 2022-23 financial year.

Fourteen NT prisoners escaped in the reporting period.

Queensland reported the second highest rate of escape with just eight in the same year.