Escapee located at Newcastle, NSW

A prison inmate who escaped from a hospital in Newcastle has been arrested by officers in Kotara.

Earlier today (Thursday 20 February 2020), police launched an extensive search after the 35-year-old man, who was being treated under guard by officers from Corrective Services NSW, absconded from John Hunter Hospital.

The search involved Newcastle City Police District, Traffic and Highway Patrol Command, the Dog Unit and PolAir.

Just after 3pm, the man was arrested at a shopping centre on Northcott Drive, Kotara.

The man has been taken to Newcastle Police Station where he is expected to be charged.

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