Police search underway for three men who escaped from Townsville prison

Richard Dinnen - Queensland Editor | June 28, 2022

Police search underway for three men who escaped from Townsville prison

Police and Corrective Services officers are searching for three men who escaped from the low security Townsville Correctional Centre prison farm overnight.

The men got out early last night, but how they got out and where they’re headed is still under investigation.

Police set up roadblocks in the area and a manhunt is underway.

Queensland Corrective Services has named the escapees:

• Les Noel Noble, serving four years for armed robbery
• Preston Donald Zane Quakawoot, serving nine months for assaulting police
• Layne Rex Newman, serving 15 months for break-ins.

Detective Senior Sergeant Chris Hicks said the men may have walked off the farm and a car may have been waiting to collect them.

“We believe they all left in a group last night. They’ve just walked off the farm and have been assisted by someone to leave the area.

“If they are approached by members of the public there could be some danger there.”