Police are searching for an African fugitive who fled custody during a trip to a shopping centre in Melbourne, with members of the public warned not to approach him.
Victoria Police said Ivainesu Mahwendepi, 28, who appears in a photo with an inverted cross on his forehead, absconded during leave from a secure facility in Fairfield on Saturday.
Mahwendepi was “at an outing” at a shopping centre on Murray Road, Preston, when he ran off at about 2pm. Police then launched a “significant search”, but he was unable to be found.
“He was last sighted wearing a white and blue Ellesse jumper, black t-shirt, black and white tracksuit pants, and black and red Adidas runners. He was also wearing a watch and a silver necklace, and had a black satchel bag in his possession,” police said.
“Mahwendepi is described as African in appearance, about 175cm tall with a solid build and his hair in red/orange dreadlocks.”
He was previously known to frequent the Harkness area.
Members of the public have been warned not to approach Mahwendepi, but call Triple-Zero immediately if he is seen.
Police have not revealed the name of the facility or why he was locked up, but Fairfield is home to the medium-security Thomas Embling Hospital, a forensic facility for criminals who are being given psychiatric treatment.
Header image: Left, Ivainesu Mahwendepi. Right, Mahwendepi at the shopping centre he fled from (Victoria Police).
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