Inmate found hiding in bush camp after tractor escape
Savannah Meacham |
A prisoner at large for a month after he escaped from a correctional centre on a tractor has been tracked down by police hiding in bushland.
Michael Graeme Rennie, 43, escaped on a red tractor while on work duty at Lotus Glen Low Custody Correctional Centre in far north Queensland on June 1.
He was serving more than six years for motor vehicle, weapon, drug and other offences, including serious assault, theft and burglary.
Police said he was located and arrested in Cow Bay, nearly three hours from the Atherton Tablelands prison farm, about 1am on Wednesday.
“In a campsite in bushland,” Detective Inspector Jason Chetham told reporters.
Authorities said he was in the company of a 48-year-old woman known to him from Rocky Point, who is assisting with their investigation.
“We know that they knew each other,” Det Chetham said.
“They’re associates from his life on the outside and we’re going to piece together whether she was aiding or abetting.”
The escapee had a “good deal” of bushcraft with police believing they would find him off the grid.
“There’s a lot of forestry up here and so we knew it was going to be a challenge but I’m very grateful that we got our hands on him this morning,” Det Chetham said.
The tractor has not been found.
Rennie has been charged with one count each of escape by persons in lawful custody and unlawful use of a motor vehicle.
He was remanded in custody to face Cairns Magistrates Court on Wednesday.
AAP
