A young armed robber who escaped from Malmsbury youth jail into an awaiting car on Tuesday has been pursued by police in Ballarat.
Fairfax Media understands Lachlan Mitchell, 20, was in a wheelchair and then on crutches when he left Malmsbury Youth Justice Centre about 2pm.
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'Dangerous' armed robber walks out of custody
Police are searching for Lachlan Mitchell, who walked out of the Malmsbury Youth Justice Centre and into a waiting car on Tuesday afternoon.
A prison source said Mitchell, from Warrnambool, talked on a telephone in a prison office, before casually leaving and getting into a black Holden ute bearing South Australian number plates XAA 230, and with a black hard top canopy and roof racks.
Two police pursuits were conducted in Ballarat on Tuesday afternoon after news broke that the young inmate was on the run, The Courier reports.
The first pursuit happened about 2.25pm on Gillies Road but it was terminated shortly after the black ute, believed to be carrying Mitchell, approached Wendouree.
The vehicle was then seen about 30 minutes later on Gillies Road again but was the pursuit was called off minutes later.
Mitchell then headed north towards Avoca and Maryborough.
Police are still searching for the armed robber, who a prison source described as "seriously dangerous".
It's not the first time Mitchell has been on the run from authorities. He was wanted by police for a week in September over armed robbery and car theft.
He was arrested when the car he was driving collided with a B-double petrol tanker near Camperdown, 200 kilometres west of Melbourne.
The tanker ran off the Princes Highway and became bogged, while Mitchell's allegedly stolen car overturned and landed in a paddock.
A loaded sawn-off shotgun, stolen property and implements used to break into houses and carry out armed robberies were found in Mitchell's car.
Mitchell is serving a 12 month sentence in Malmsbury Youth Justice Centre for serious driving, firearm and other offences.
On Tuesday, however, police said he "left the facility" and hopped into a black ute waiting for him outside.
He is described as being about 175 centimetres tall, with a medium build, blue eyes and short hair. He was wearing black shorts, white runners, a grey T-shirt and a black jumper when he absconded.
The Department of Health and Human Services is working with police to find him.
A spokesman for the department said a "full review of the incident will be undertaken".
The youth jail is no stranger to the spotlight, with several prisoner riots in recent months.
About three weeks ago there was another eruption of violence at the facility. Prison officers were confronted by about a dozen young offenders who caused significant damage to the Deakin Unit.
Anyone with any information about Mitchell's whereabouts is asked to call triple zero immediately.
- with Emily Woods and The Courier.
The 20-year-old is described as being Caucasian, 175cm tall, medium build, with blue eyes and short hair. Details → https://t.co/t7XqkX76jS pic.twitter.com/RkdWBwbsek
— Victoria Police (@VictoriaPolice) November 9, 2016