Jeremy MacDonald: Police search for alleged Covid absconder

Police will strongly oppose bail for a 27-year-old man who allegedly absconded from quarantine in Alice Springs.

UPDATED SATURDAY 3PM: POLICE have arrested a 27-year-old man who allegedly absconded from a quarantine facility in Alice Springs earlier this month.

Jeremy MacDonald, who had last been seen in supervised isolation on Friday December 3, was arrested on the Barkley Hwy near the Three Ways Roadhouse.

He was taken into custody at around 11am Saturday.

In a statement, NT Police said he was taken to the Tennant Creek Watch House.

He is expected to be charged with Breach Direction of Chief Health Officer, Supply Schedule one Dangerous Drug, Less than Commercial Quantity, Possess Trafficable Amount of Schedule One Dangerous Drug, Unlawful use of Motor Vehicle, Drive an unregistered Motor Vehicle, Drive an uninsured Motor Vehicle, and Drive a motor vehicle with a Suspended Licence.

Police said they would strongly oppose bail.

27-year-old Jeremy MacDonald who allegedly absconded from the Alice Springs Quarantine Facility. Picture: Contributed

UPDATED TUESDAY 11.45AM: Territory Controller and Police Commissioner Jamie Chalker says police are still searching for a man who absconded from an Alice Springs quarantine facility.

“He is a target known to police,” Mr Chalker said.

“He is actively avoiding us, we are aware of that.”

The man may have crossed state borders, Mr Chalker said, but police would track him down.

“If anyone’s aiding and abetting him, they will come into our focus,” he said.

UPDATED SATURDAY 9AM: THERE has been another alleged escape from a Northern Territory quarantine facility, the second time in just 24 hours.

Police allege a 36-year-old man scaled the fence of the Howard Springs quarantine facility around 10pm Friday night.

It comes as police continue to search for an alleged quarantine escapee, 27-year-old Jeremy MacDonald, who they say fled from his Alice Springs hotel via the balcony.

Acting senior sergeant Rob Overall said the alleged escapee from Howard Springs was located at a Humpty Doo address at 2.50am.

Police allege the 36-year-old man scaled the fence of the Howard Springs Quarantine centre. Picture GLENN CAMPBELL

“Investigations are continuing in relation to the circumstances of the breach and further information will be released at a later time relating to any test results for Covid.”

It follows the absconsion of three teenagers earlier this week, who were later found on the outskirts of Palmerston.

EARLIER: POLICE are searching for an alleged quarantine escapee who they say fled from his Alice Springs hotel via the balcony.

Northern Territory Police are searching for 27-year-old Jeremy MacDonald.

Police said MacDonald drove into the Territory at Kulgera, 276km south of Alice Springs, on November 26 and was directed to enter quarantine after failing to declare he had been in a hotspot.

NT Police are asking the public to be on the lookout for 27-year-old Jeremy MacDonald who allegedly absconded from the Alice Springs Quarantine Facility. Picture: Contributed

Police said staff at the facility confirmed he was not in his room at 1pm on Friday, and appeared to have left via the balcony.

Police are asking the public to be on the lookout for 27-year-old MacDonald. Police reassured the community that MacDonald tested negative for Covid-19 on December 1.

NT Police are asking the public to be on the lookout for 27-year-old Jeremy MacDonald who allegedly absconded from the Alice Springs Quarantine Facility. Picture: Contributed

Commander Sachin Sharma urged the community to report any sightings of Jeremy MacDonald, by calling 131 444.

“(We) encourage him to hand himself in to local police. The Chief Health Officer’s directions are in place for community safety.”

Originally published as Jeremy MacDonald: Police search for alleged Covid absconder