Police believe escapee still in the state as hunt goes on

Police say they are still confident escaped prisoner Jake Mark Pearce is in the state and that he is still within their search area.

Escapee Jake Mark Pearce. Picture SUPPLIED

POLICE say there is nothing to suggest an escapee who triggered a dramatic manhunt in central Hobart has moved out of their specific search area or fled the state.

Despite spending nine days following leads and police intelligence, officers are yet to locate Jake Mark Pearce.

The 21-year-old, of Maydena, was arrested in the early hours of August 31 in Bridgewater for an alleged breach of bail.

He escaped police custody un-handcuffed at 3.15pm that day while undisclosed “procedures associated with the police investigation” were being carried out at the Royal Hobart Hospital.

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Glenorchy CIB Detective Inspector Troy Morrisby on Monday said police working on the case would continue conducting searches at addresses linked to Pearce.

“There is nothing at this point in time that indicates he has fled the area of interest or state,” he said.

“We’re very confident that he’s still in the southern region and that we know the area he’s working in, but he’s obviously actively evading us.

“There was one address checked on Monday morning based on some information we had received, but it was unsuccessful.

“We have received several pieces of information from the public, some of which we think have been accurate, but unfortunately they haven’t be given to us at the right time.”

Anyone with information on Pearce’s whereabouts is asked to contact police on 131 444 or Crime Stoppers anonymously on 1800 333 000.