In a climactic culmination to an intense and riveting manhunt spanning 45 days, fugitive Daniel Briffa, an escapee of Langi Kal Kal Correctional Centre, was finally apprehended at a residential dwelling in Ballarat East. Members of Victoria Police’s fugitive squad succeeded in executing the arrest at approximately 10:30 am on Thursday, without any significant incidents arising.
Briffa, a 50-year-old convict serving time for multiple charges including theft, drug, and traffic-related crimes, had broken free from prison custody on the night of September 4. His breakout from the minimum-security facility, which sparked a significant search operation, raised several questions and left authorities puzzled as to how he managed to elude security measures.
Following his arrest, the prison fugitive was immediately charged with escape and is scheduled to be arraigned at the Ballarat Magistrates’ Court Thursday afternoon. Despite his capture, the circumstances surrounding his escape still remain cloaked in mystery.
The wide-scale manhunt drew considerable attention from the public and media. Victoria Police expressed gratitude for their assistance, which proved instrumental in locating Briffa. The aftermath of the escape witnessed a flurry of activity as police released footage of Briffa in a convenience store at Alfredton, a suburb of Ballarat. At the time, authorities had classified him as violent and issued a public advisory to avoid any interaction with the inmate if he was sighted.
The painstaking search for Briffa and his subsequent capture is a testament to the tireless efforts of the Victoria Police and the keen vigilance of a public determined to restore safety and order to their community.
