Three men remain on the run after reportedly escaping through a window of the Beechworth Correctional Centre.
Prisoners Billy Sperling, 25, Thomas Smith, 27, and Geoffrey Pennell, 34 were reported missing early on Wednesday and are believed to have escaped between 10.30pm and 12.30am.
Police do not consider the men, who were serving for a variety of traffic, property damage, drug and burglary related offences at the minimum-security facility, to be a danger to the general public.
Wangaratta Detective Senior Sergeant Garry Barton said the men should not be approached if they are spotted.
“They’re not a danger to the public, but we ask is if members of the public, especially in the Beechworth area, have any information to contact Crime Stoppers,” he said.
“If anyone in the Beechworth area saw three people who could be prisoners, have something missing from their house or anything that may assist us should call.”
Police were also appealing for information about a 1988 Blue Mercedes sedan stolen from Beechworth-Everton Road about 3.20am on Wednesday morning.
While police would not confirm whether it was considered linked to the prisoners, it was fugitive taskforce detectives who put out the call for public assistance.
The registration is 1GI3BT and anyone who sees the vehicle should not approach it, but call triple-0.
Detective Senior Sergeant Barton said it was too early to know if the men had local links or where they could be headed.
Detective Senior Sergeant Barton said the search for the missing prisoners was wide-ranging.
“We’re working with members from the fugitive taskforce down in Melbourne and all the resources of Victoria police and corrections – we’re all working together collaboratively,” he said.
Sperling is serving time for property, traffic, assault and drug-related offences and is described as Caucasian with brown eyes, a medium build and 178cm tall.
Pennell is the same height but has blue/grey eyes – he is serving time for burglary, theft, drug, traffic and damage-related offences.
Smith committed traffic, property, drug and damage-related offences and has green eyes, a medium build and is about 187cm tall.
Anyone with information should call 1800 333 000.
They're not a danger to the public
- Detective Senior Sergeant Garry Barton
