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CCTV footage has shown that a man who allegedly escaped from a managed isolation facility in Auckland by lowering the covers from a fourth-floor window was missing for more than eight hours.
The chief of managed isolation and quarantine, Air Commodore Darryn Webb, said around 8:20 a.m. On Monday, security personnel at the Ramada site on Federal St located several tied sheets, hanging from a window in a fourth-floor room.
While the matter was being investigated, the man in that room showed up at the hotel’s front door around 8.24 a.m., he said.
He was immediately taken into police custody and questioned.
RYAN ANDERSON / Stuff
The man escaped from the Ramada on Federal Street in central Auckland.
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On Tuesday, Webb said an investigation into the incident was ongoing.
CCTV images reviewed as part of the investigation found the man walking through Aotea Square at around 1 a.m.
“Investigations have established that the man likely escaped shortly after midnight before returning on foot to the facility at 8.24 am. The matter is still under investigation and some details about his movements have not yet been confirmed, ”he said.
“The man has been seen on CCTV walking in parts of Auckland, from the city center to Newmarket, Epsom, Onehunga and Mt Albert before returning to the facility on Federal Street.”
The man returned from Australia on a deportation flight on September 16. It has tested negative for Covid-19 twice and the risk to the public is believed to be low.
Webb said security improvements will be made to the facility, including the installation of more CCTV cameras, as well as additional lighting at the man’s likely point of departure.
RYAN ANDERSON / Stuff
The man reportedly escaped through a window on the fourth floor of the isolation hotel.
“The method of exit is still under investigation, but the first indications are that the fugitive broke the security latch on his window to force the exit.
“Police have reviewed a variety of CCTV footage, interviewed the fugitive under strict Covid-19 protocols, conducted a preliminary examination of the scene at the facility, and spoken with staff.”
The man has not been charged at this time.
On Monday, Webb said the man had put himself and others at risk and called his actions “unacceptable.”
“Voluntary departure from our facilities will not be tolerated and appropriate action will be taken.”
Rules were set for all returnees, Webb said, and people were expected to follow them for the entirety of their 14 days of isolation.
Webb said there have been more than 55,000 people through managed isolation and quarantine facilities.
Of that, there were nine incidents involving 13 people who escaped.
“These incidents are rare and we treat them extremely seriously.”
Although the risk to the public is very low, anyone with health concerns should call Healthline on 0800 358 5453.
