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Broome prison escape: WA Police searching for Warrick Simon Walkerbear who escaped Broome Regional Prison

The West Australian
The escaped prisoner.
Camera IconThe escaped prisoner.

Police are urgently hunting 27-year-old Warrick Simon Walkerbear after he escaped Broome Regional Prison on Tuesday afternoon.

The 27-year-old remand prisoner escaped from the jail just before 3.30pm by scaling a fence barefoot.

“The rest of the prison has been locked down and all other prisoners are accounted for,” the Department of Justice said in a statement.

“Community members who see the man are urged not to approach him and to contact police immediately.”

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In a statement WA Police said Mr Walkerbear was last seen on Hamersley Street in the vicinity of Barker Street, heading south towards Haas Street in Broome.

Just after 6pm, police started searching through mangroves in front of the Mangrove Hotel in Roebuck Bay for the fugitive.

He is described as 185cm tall, with a slim build, curly black shoulder length hair and was last seen wearing dark green shorts, a dark green t-shirt and black thongs.

“As with any escapee, Mr Walkerbear may act in an unpredictable manner if approached,” police said.

“Any member of the public who sights him is advised to call police immediately on 131 444 or the Broome police station on 9103 9000.”

Broome detective John Harty said police were scouring Broome and checking cars throughout the area in their hunt for Mr Walkerbear.

“We believe Mr Walkerbear may head back to Derby, that's where he's from originally,” he told the ABC.

“So we have a road block out on the Old Broome road and we're pulling over cars that come along the road, just checking to make sure he's not in there.

“We will continue to search for him until he's found. We will not stop. We will find him.”

Mr Walkerbear is due to face court next Wednesday on a burglary, theft and stealing motor vehicle charges.

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