Hunt continues for WA prison escapee

The search continues for a notorious drug trafficker who escaped jail while walking a puppy during a prisoner's sporting match in Perth's southern suburbs.

A notorious drug trafficker who escaped from jail while walking a puppy during a prisoners' soccer match in Perth a fortnight ago is still at large.

Bernd Neumann, 59, disappeared from a park in Wilson, in Perth's southern suburbs, at about 4pm (WST) on February 8.

Neumann was just three years into a 15-year sentence for his part in a major drug trafficking syndicate that included Stephen Cookson - whose head was found washed up in a bag on Rottnest Island last year.

The Wooroloo Prison Farm inmate was allowed to leave the minimum security facility to attend the supervised match, despite having previously skipped bail.

Inspector Dominic Wood said it was highly likely someone knew of his whereabouts and warned that anyone convicted of aiding his escape faced a maximum seven years in prison.

"We will ruthlessly pursue them as much as we will pursue the escapee himself," Insp Wood told reporters on Tuesday.

Insp Wood said all of Neumann's known associates and family were being interviewed.

He said other Australian states and territories had been alerted that Neumann was at large, and police were liaising with Interpol.

Neumann is described as fair-skinned and about 183cm tall, with a slim build and long, grey hair in a pony tail. He was last seen wearing a yellow and black polo shirt, black shorts and a green hat.


2 min read

Published

Updated

Source: AAP


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