Third Holtze runaway recaptured by NT Police

The third low-security Holtze prison escapee has been recaptured, putting an end to the two-day specialist police search. Here’s what happened.

Northern Territory police have recaptured all three inmates who escaped Holtze low-security prison on Wednesday night.

Police released a statement on Friday afternoon, saying Jamian Bara Bara, 38, was arrested in a Leanyer shopping centre.

The arrest came about 22 hours after officers revealed Dylan Mamarika, 29 and Rogan Lalara, 33, had been located in Palmerston.

Earlier on Thursday, the two men had been spotted running from a Palmerston residential area.

Jamian Bara Bara, 38, was captured on Friday. Picture: NT Police

The three escapees were identified as low-risk prisoners by Corrections authorities but police warned the public not to approach the men.

They were last seen wearing long-sleeved high visibility yellow and blue shirts and dark blue shorts.

Detective Senior Sergeant Karl Day, who led the investigation into the capture of the men, thanked the public for their assistance.

“They were still wearing the (high-visibility) yellow shirts that they had on when they escaped,” Sergeant Day said in regards to sightings of two escapees on Thursday.

Dylan Mamarika, 29, was captured on Thursday afternoon. Picture: NT Police

Rogan Lalara, 33, was captured after being seen in Palmerston. Picture: NT Police

“It does appear somewhat disingenuous (that they escaped) when some of them had very small mass left on their sentence.”

Sergeant Day said Serious Crime and Major Crime teams worked through the men’s known connections and family members.

Detective Senior Sergeant Karl Day said two of the escapees were spotted in Palmerston on Wednesday morning, still wearing their bright yellow prison shirts. Picture: Annabel Bowles

Northern Watch Commander Meacham King said on Thursday the search began shortly after their escape from the correctional facility.

“We had patrols out (Wednesday) night and inquiries are continuing with their known associates and their addresses,” he said.

“Based on their correctional history we don’t anticipate they pose a risk to the community but we’re asking people to remain vigilant.

“If you see them call triple-0, do not approach them.”

The cottages, also known as the Pre-Release Work Village, house prisoners who regularly leave the correctional facility to work in the community.

Their exact method of escape remains unclear however a door alarm was activated.

Sergeant Day said the men scaled the facility’s fence and “made good their escape”.

Holtze prison is located about 30km east of Darwin.

The Department of the Attorney-General and Justice had declined to comment as the matter was under police investigation.

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