Man who allegedly escaped police custody after being accused of assaulting officers faces court

A man who allegedly broke free from custody and fled into Adelaide’s suburbs last week, sparking a major search, has finally faced court.

Police have released an image of a man who allegedly escaped from police custody on Thursday night.

A man who allegedly escaped custody and sparked a huge manhunt across Adelaide for three days has been named in court.

Raymond James Wilson faced the Port Adelaide Magistrates Court on Monday on a series of charges on Monday.

He did not apply for bail.

Police located the man in the western suburbs on Saturday afternoon, following extensive inquiries after he allegedly ran from police at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital about 9.30pm, on Thursday.

The 36-year-old Sturt man now faces an extra charge of escaping lawful custody, in addition to the previous charges of assaulting a prescribed emergency worker, carrying an offensive weapon, carrying a prohibited weapon, and resisting police.

Police thanked the members of the public who assisted in the search.

During the manhunt, dozens of police searched the Woodville area and surrounding suburbs, with the help of the Polair helicopter and police dogs.

A patrol had attempted to stop a man riding a bicycle on Tapleys Hill Rd, Glenelg North, about 11.20am on Thursday after observing him without a helmet.

Police say the man refused to stop and entered a home on Inverarity Place, where he allegedly raised a hammer in a threatening manner before charging at officers and attempting to strike.

The man, who police allege is Wilson, was arrested at the scene after police deployed capsicum spray, and a search of the man and his backpack revealed a taser inside.

Both the hammer and taser were seized by police.

While in custody, Mr Wilson was taken to the Queen Elizabeth Hospital for a medical assessment.

Just before 9.30pm, after being released from hospital and being led back to a police vehicle in the hospital car park, the man broke free and fled on foot, police said.

They said Mr Wilson could not have taken the handcuffs off without the key, which police had in their possession, and would have needed assistance from others.

His matter will return to court in February.

Originally published as Man who allegedly escaped police custody after being accused of assaulting officers faces court