Prisoner Jake Mark Pearce fled from ‘accompanying police’

A prisoner who escaped police custody while “procedures associated with the police investigation” were being carried out at the RHH remains on the run.

A police manhunt was launched after Jake Mark Pearce escaped police custody on Saturday afternoon. Picture SUPPLIED

AN escapee who triggered a dramatic manhunt in central Hobart was not handcuffed when he fled “accompanying police”.

Jake Mark Pearce, of Maydena, was arrested about 6am on Saturday in Bridgewater for an alleged breach of bail.

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

Police did not reveal Pearce had fled until 20 hours after the initial alert was sent out — instead saying only that he had been sighted in the CBD and his location was being sought as part of an ongoing investigation.

DRAMATIC HUNT FOR WANTED MAN

The 21-year-old remains at large on Sunday night, despite dozens of officers on foot and in vehicles searching Hobart aided by the Westpac rescue helicopter immediately after he escaped.

A Tasmania Police officer searches near the Hobart Aquatic Centre area. Picture: MATT THOMPSON

The pursuit spanned the Royal Hobart Hospital and Menzies Research Institute precinct, Macquarie Point, the Doone Kennedy Hobart Aquatic Centre and the Queen’s Domain area.

Inspector Damien George on Sunday defended the decision to leave Pearce unrestrained.

“He was not handcuffed. Handcuffs are applied when a reasonable necessity exists which justifies the application of handcuffs, including where a person threatens, resists or assaults police,” he told the Mercury.

Inspector George would not confirm the charges Pearce’s bail related to. He said it would be “prejudicial” to detail specifics about Pearce, but that there was no threat to public safety.

“I’d like to reassure the community that there was no risk to the safety of community members while police searched in the Hobart area on Saturday, and there is no ongoing risk,” Inspector George said.

“I ask anyone who has seen Jake since Saturday afternoon to come forward.”

Acting Inspector Damien George has defended the decision to leave Pearce unrestrained. Picture: RICHARD JUPE

When asked why a runaway suspect was not considered a cause for concern, Inspector George again said it would be “prejudicial” to provide an answer.

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