The shirtless fugitive who made a dramatic escape on Friday afternoon is still at large, police have confirmed.
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Despite a large-scale operation, involving a helicopter, dozens of uniformed and plain clothes police and a sniffer dog, the man managed to evade capture.
The man scaled the roof of the Allied Pinnacle mill building in Trench Street at around 3pm on Friday afternoon, then ran out of the building.
A local TV network filmed the man escaping from the industrial complex, leaping over a tall fence included barbed wire, and dropping almost three metres onto the land surrounding the railway. Stumbling after his fall, he then ran east across the tracks, where he disappeared.
WATCH VIDEO OF HIS ESCAPE BELOW
The precise movements are unknown but witnesses report him emerging from a drain near Macarthur Street Primary School.
The man, of slim build and dark brown hair, was pictured wearing grey tracksuit bottoms with defective elastic, blue Marvel briefs and ankle-high work boots.
Pictures taken of the man show his body was streaked with black marks.
It is unclear precisely what the man is being sought for. At the time of the incident, Ballarat Superintendent Jenny Wilson said the police operation concerned a male wanted in relation to vehicle crimes.
"There's no risk to the community," she told The Courier on Friday.
He is believed to have been seen by two separate groups of witnesses on Doveton Street at around 9.15pm on Friday evening - by then reportedly wearing a black and blue hoodie.
One man, who had been watching the Hawks and North Melbourne game at the Golf House Hotel with a friend, told The Courier the man had approached and asked for directions to the nearest payphone before requesting to make a call on their mobile phones.
The witness said the man was "very polite" but "not all there."
The police have not so far issued any further details of the wanted man.
TIMELINE OF THE ESCAPE
Friday August 2
Early afternoon: A police helicopter was circling the Ballarat area.
Around 3pm: Police are seen searching for someone on the roof of the Allied Pinnacle mill building in Trench Street, behind the Creswick Road Bunnings. Other police were also seen patrolling the area.
3.08pm: A shirtless man, covered in cuts and marks, was then seen running from the building, followed by workers and police officers.
He scaled the wire fence - including barbed wire - and narrowly avoided being captured by a worker in a high vis vest.
Police further south down the railway line started to pursue him.
After jumping over the fence the fugitive crossed the railway line. His pace then slowed and he disappeared from view.
With curious passersby watching on, a police dog was brought in to track the man's scent.
It appeared to lead police to a drain, where it is believed the man was seen popping out of a drain near the Macarthur Street Primary School.
Until late afternoon: There was a heavy police presence in the Soldiers Hill area with both uniformed and plain clothes police patrolling the ground and the police helicopter circling overhead.
For a short time it became quiet, before the helicopter returned with more cars patrolling around the Ballarat Old Cemetery area.
5.30pm: Police began dispersing from the area.
9.15pm: Two men walking down Doveton Street believe they encounter the man, now said to be wearing a blue and black hoodie. He asked directions to the nearest payphone.
Saturday August 3
9.30am: Police report no further updates.
Sunday August 4
4.30pm: Police report no further updates.
9.30pm: Police confirm man is still at large.
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