DOORS were firmly locked and police radio scanners turned up as the Delegate area became the scene of a dramatic search and capture of an escaped prisoner over February 3 and 4.
On the Friday, 23-year-old Mark Maukau was discovered missing from Goulburn Correctional Centre during a roll call at 12.30pm. He had last been accounted for at 11.45am.
A Corrective Services spokesperson said that Maukau had been working in a minimum security workshop area of the prison, and he may have used wire cutters to cut through a fence and escape.
It is believed Mr Maukau changed clothes and made his way to the Goulburn CBD, where he allegedly threatened an 84-year-old local man with a screwdriver before stealing his car.
Police initially suspected the prisoner would head for Western Sydney, but he was later reported driving south on the Federal Highway.
A motorist reported that a Mazda 3 fitting the police description overtook him on the Monaro Highway between Williamsdale and Michelago.
At around 5.45pm police identified the vehicle in Bombala, being driven by a man fitting the description of Maukau. Police commenced a pursuit of the Mazda to Delegate.
Maukau reportedly bogged the car near Hensleigh Street, abandoned the vehicle and fled on foot into nearby bushland.
Police set up a perimeter around the bushland and commenced a lengthy search which stretched through the night and into Saturday, with officers from both the NSW and Victorian Police involved.
A total of 40 personnel assisted in the search, including local police, personnel from Queanbeyan, Goulburn, the Monaro and the South Coast, as well as a Dog Squad and aerial support from Polair.
The Bombala SES also assisted, while the local RFS was able to provide maps of the area.
Hayden’s Bog Road was closed as part of the search and nervous locals were given a description of Maukau and warned that he was considered armed and dangerous.
Inspector Tony Hill of Queanbeyan Police said it was the excellent public information given to police which led to the eventual capture of the prisoner.
Not long after midday on the Saturday, two local boys reported seeing the escapee leaving bushland and walking near the river towards Delegate.
“Sightings and information from people in the Delegate/Bendoc area have resulted in his arrest,” Inspector Hill said.
Maukau was captured in the front garden of Delegate Station Homestead at 12.45pm following a dramatic 300 metre chase.
The captured prisoner was taken to the Bombala Police Station, with locals in the main street taking great interest in his return to town, before he was then transported back to Goulburn.
Maukau has been charged with aggravated assault with a weapon and intent to take and drive a motor vehicle, police pursuit, unlicensed driving and escape lawful custody.
During a short bail hearing on Sunday, he was remanded in custody to appear in Goulburn Local Court today, February 8.
The 23 year old Maukau was serving a two year sentence for armed robbery, and was due for release on April 8, 2013.
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