Wanted man still at large as police sweep Hobart in dramatic chase operation

Scores of police swept through Hobart’s city centre aided by the Westpac rescue helicopter in a dramatic hunt for a missing man, startling pedestrians and passers-by.

A police officer searching the area around the University Rose Garden, next to the Hobart Aquatic Centre. Picture: MATT THOMPSON

A DRAMATIC search for a man, who remains at large, unfolded in Hobart’s central business district yesterday.

Tasmania Police in uniform on foot and in vehicles, and the Westpac Rescue Helicopter, joined the hunt.

The police 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.

A police investigation is ongoing to locate 21-year-old Maydena man Jake Mark Pearce. Picture: SUPPLIED

The search began at 3.15pm yesterday, according to Tasmania Police who yesterday released a statement and photograph saying an investigation is ongoing to locate 21-year-old Maydena man Jake Mark Pearce.

“Around 3.15pm today police conducted a search of the Hobart area, including the use of the Westpac Rescue Helicopter, after Jake was sighted in the CBD area,” Tasmania Police said yesterday.

“Police would like to speak to Jake in relation to an ongoing police investigation.

“Anyone who has seen Jake since around 3.20pm this afternoon or knows his current whereabouts is asked to contact Tasmania Police on 131 444 or Crime Stoppers anonymously on 1800 333 000.”

Witness Dave Chalmers was walking at Macquarie Point, behind the Cenotaph, at the time and said he knew something was wrong when he saw “about 20 special operations police arrive and flood through the area on foot”.

“There were [police] cars as well and they were turning things up and having a look under things.

“I thought I must be walking into somewhere dangerous. Then as I was coming towards the end of that I saw the helicopter arrive and do a scan around the area, really quite low. The coppers were combing the waterfront.”

Tasmania Police were seen searching for the man on foot, in vehicles and in the Westpac rescue helicopter. Picture: MATT THOMPSON

Mr Chalmers said he was later in the aquatic centre and saw Tasmania Police officers enter the building and question staff.

The Sunday Tasmanian spoke to a witness who saw the search begin. He said a large number of police gathered at 3.15pm near the new Hedberg complex building site, across the road from the RHH on Argyle St.

Shortly after, the Westpac Rescue Helicopter was seen sweeping low over the area and hovering above the RHH, Menzies building, the ABC Centre, University Rose Gardens and Domain until after 4pm.

A Doone Kennedy Hobart Aquatic Centre spokesman confirmed Tasmania Police had attended the centre, but said “there was no disruption to patrons”.