Northern Territory Police are searching for a man who escaped from a police cell after assaulting an officer in Borroloola yesterday.
21-year-old Lex Noble was arrested along with another person after they on Saturday, 22 December.
Both had been charged and remanded in custody for stealing and unlawful entry.
It’s alleged that at around 10pm last night, two police officers attended the cell where Noble assaulted one of the officers and escaped into the surrounding area. The officers gave chase but were unable to locate the 21-year-old.
Central Command’s Michael Hebb said police have undertaken searches of the Borroloola community and region, and further searches are continuing.
“Additional policing resources have been deployed to Borroloola over the past week to assist local members with a number incidents in the community.”
“I have been very impressed with the commitment of all our staff, many of whom have been working away from their families over the Christmas period to investigate significant incidents within the Borroloola community.
“That said, I also acknowledge that the escape of a prisoner from police custody is of significant concern, and the circumstances relating to this escape will be the subject of a thorough internal investigation,” Commander Hebb said.
Lex Noble is described as being of Aboriginal appearance, 175 centimetres tall, of slight to medium build with short dark hair. He was last seen wearing orange shorts, no shirt and no shoes.
Whilst Noble is not considered to a be an active threat to the public, police advise the members of the community not to approach him, but to contact police immediately on 131 444 or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000. Anyone with information on his whereabouts is urged to report it.
