A man who escaped prison on a tractor has been arrested more than 140 kilometres from his facility, hiding in a tropical paradise.
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The prisoner, 43-year-old Michael Graeme Rennie, has been missing for a month after he absconded from Queensland's Lotus Glen Low Custody Correctional Centre on June 1.
Rennie was seen driving a Red Massey Tractor, while performing work duties on the correctional centre farm, before he disappeared.
Escapee arrested in tropical paradise
Police arrested the escapee at 12.45am on July 2 in Cow Bay, a beautiful stretch of coastline between the Daintree River and Cape Tribulation in northern Queensland.
The tractor he is accused of taking from the centre remains outstanding, police said.
Further charges laid
Rennie was serving more than six years in the low-custody farm after he was convicted of a range of crimes.
His crimes included serious assault, motor vehicle offences, theft, burglary, drugs and weapons offences, police said.
After his arrest on July 2, Rennie was charged with one count each of escape by persons in lawful custody and unlawful use of a motor vehicle.
He was remanded in custody and is due to appear in the Cairns Magistrates Court on July 2.
Lotus Glen Low Custody Correctional Centre, around 25 kilometres south of Mareeba, accommodates high and low security prisoners.
Anna Houlahan
Anna Houlahan is a journalist for the Courier, dedicated to uncovering the stories that shape the city. Reach out with news or updates to anna.houlahan@austcommunitymedia.com.au
