Daring Detention Centre Escape: Two Teens Still on the Run After Brutal Brawl Leaves Staff Injured and Police Scrambling
- Seven youths, aged 14 to 17, made a brazen break for freedom from Tasmania’s Ashley Youth Detention Centre on Thursday night
- Three staff members were physically assaulted, with one suffering neck and hand injuries, in the chaos leading up to the escape
- The group allegedly hijacked a blue Subaru WRX from the centre’s car park, sparking a massive police manhunt involving a helicopter and ground units
In a shocking development, two teenagers remain at large after a group of seven youths staged a daring escape from Tasmania’s Ashley Youth Detention Centre on Thursday night, leaving a trail of destruction and injured staff in their wake.
The mayhem erupted about 7pm when the group, comprising youths aged 14 to 17, allegedly turned on three staff members, leaving one with injuries to their neck and hands. The violence was a precursor to the group’s brazen break for freedom, which saw them commandeer a blue Subaru WRX from the centre’s car park.
Police swiftly launched a search operation, enlisting the assistance of a helicopter, and were able to locate the stolen vehicle in the Penguin area about 10.20pm. However, the youths had already vanished into the night, sparking a frantic manhunt across the region.
As the search continued, police managed to track down and apprehend several of the escapees, including one who was found about 1am, two others discovered near Ulverstone just before 7.30am, and another who was taken into custody a few hours later. A fifth detainee handed himself in at Glenorchy Police Station early on Friday afternoon.
Despite these successes, two teenagers remain on the run, with police urging anyone with information about their whereabouts to come forward. The incident has left the community shaken and raised concerns about the security and safety of the detention centre.