news, local-news, hospital, handcuffs, police, custody, escape

Police are hunting a man who escaped Wollongong Hospital wearing a set of handcuffs, Thursday night. The man, aged in his 40s, had been arrested earlier Thursday and taken to hospital for medical attention. He fled on foot at about 6pm. Police from Wollongong Local Area Command and the Dog Squad established a perimeter and conducted an extensive search of the surrounding area, but the man remains at large. He was wearing a Sydney Roosters football jersey and black shorts when last seen. Police warn members of the public not to approach the man. Dial triple zero if you see him. UPDATE, 10.10pm: Police have identified a man who escaped custody in Wollongong on Thursday as Jason Rees, 43. Rees was arrested earlier Thursday in relation to firearm and assault offences, then taken to Wollongong Hospital for assessment, police say. He escaped, handcuffed, about 6pm and has still not been located. He is described as Caucasian appearance, 175-180cms tall, 70-80kg, with short light brown hair and blue eyes. He has a number of tattoos including a southern cross tattoo on his neck, a scorpion on his left leg and a skull on his right upper arm. Police say Jason Rees is considered dangerous. Anyone who sights him should not approach him but contact Triple Zero immediately.

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