Authorities in Queensland have launched a large-scale manhunt for a heavily tattooed inmate who escaped from a low-security prison farm using a red tractor on Sunday morning.
Michael Graeme Rennie, 43, was last seen operating the tractor while working at Lotus Glen Low Custody Correctional Centre, located in the Atherton Tablelands region, west of Cairns. Police believe Rennie used the tractor to flee the property sometime on June 1.
Speaking at a press briefing on Monday, Detective Inspector Jason Chetham confirmed the unusual circumstances of the escape.
“I haven’t heard that one before,” he said. “There have obviously been prisoners who have absconded from the correctional centre in the past, but I don’t think anyone’s left on a tractor.”
Rennie is currently serving a sentence of more than six years for a range of offences, including serious assault, theft, burglary, and motor vehicle, drug, and weapons charges.
He is described as Caucasian, 174 cm tall, with blue eyes, fair hair, and extensive tattoos, including:
A gun on his left shoulder
A demon holding a skull with horns on his left arm
A full sleeve tattoo on his right arm
Additionally, he has multiple dog bite marks and scars on his left arm.
Police have released images of both Rennie and the red tractor believed to have been used in the escape. Det Insp Chetham noted that while tractors are common on regional roads and may not attract immediate attention, investigators are following up on a number of reported sightings.
“The Tablelands is an agricultural centre, so tractors on the road may not turn many heads — but we’re keen to locate it anyway,” he said.
Rennie is originally from far north Queensland, and police believe he may attempt to remain in familiar territory. While police do not believe he poses a specific threat to the public, they have urged residents not to approach him.
“If anyone sees him or the tractor, we ask that they do not engage and instead contact police immediately,” Det Insp Chetham emphasized.
This is not the first escape from Lotus Glen’s low-security facility. In February 2023, another inmate fled and was recaptured three days later.
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