Prisoner escapes on big red tractor from Far North Queensland correctional farm
A convicted offender has sparked a major police search after escaping from a low-security prison farm on a big red tractor.
Police say Michael Graeme Rennie, 43, was last seen around 10:20am on Sunday morning driving a Red Massey Tractor with a front bucket, while carrying out duties at Lotus Glen Low Custody Correctional Centre in Far North Queensland.
His disappearance was discovered during a midday headcount.
Detective Inspector Jason Chetham confirmed the prisoner — and the tractor— remain unaccounted for.
'We are seeking information in relation to the believed absconsion of Michael Graeme Rennie from the Green Correctional Centre yesterday,' Chetham said.
'He was conducting duties at the facility using a Red Massey Tractor, which is also currently unaccounted for.
'So we believe he may well have left the facility with the tractor.'
The escape did not appear to involve ramming through any barriers.
'No, I don't believe so,' Chetham said.
'The Tablelands Criminal Investigation Branch are leading the investigation, so hopefully we'll have some more clarity later this afternoon about the exact manner in which he left the facility.'
While prisoner escapes are rare, the method has taken even seasoned officers by surprise.
'Yes, I haven't heard that one before — I don't think anyone's left in a tractor before,' Chetham added.
The Tablelands region, known for agriculture, is not unfamiliar with tractors on public roads.
'The Tablelands is an agricultural sector, so tractors on the road are not something that would turn a lot of heads,' Chetham explained.
Authorities believe Rennie, who is originally from Far North Queensland, may attempt to reach family in the area.
'He doesn't have far to go to get to family, so that is obviously an angle we're ruling out at the moment,' Chetham said.
Rennie is described as 174cm tall with a light build, fair complexion, blue eyes and fair hair.
He has numerous distinctive tattoos, including a gun on his left shoulder, a clown with a gun on his ribs, and full Celtic sleeves on both arms and one leg.
Police are urging the public to avoid approaching him.
'Contact police immediately and convey the information. We'll act on it ASAP,' Chetham said.
'We don't have specific concerns about what he might do in the community or that he is targeting anyone, but we certainly ask people not to approach him.'
Rennie is currently serving six years, three months and 23 days for a string of serious offences, including assault, burglary, vehicle theft, and drug and weapons charges.
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The Advertiser
5 days ago
- The Advertiser
Prisoner at large after riding a tractor to freedom
A manhunt is under way after an inmate escaped a prison farm in a tractor. Michael Graeme Rennie, 43, was last seen using the machinery on work duty at Lotus Glen Low Custody Correctional Centre in far north Queensland. Rennie likely left the farm in the red-coloured tractor on Sunday morning, Detective Inspector Jason Chetham said. "I haven't heard that one before," he told reporters on Monday. "There have obviously been prisoners abscond from the corrections centre up there in the past but I don't think anyone's left on a tractor." Police are on the lookout for the heavily tattooed Rennie who is serving more than six years for motor vehicle, weapon, drug and other offences including serious assault, theft and burglary. Police have released a picture of Rennie and the tractor he was using when he escaped the Atherton Tablelands prison farm near Cairns on Sunday. "The Tablelands is an agricultural centre so tractors on the road I don't think are something that would turn a lot of heads, but we're keen to find it anyway," Det Insp Chetham said. Rennie is described as Caucasian and 174cm tall, with blue eyes and fair hair. He has multiple tattoos across his body including a gun on his left shoulder, a demon holding a skull with horns on his left arm, a full sleeve on his right arm. Rennie also has multiple dog bites and scars on his left arm, police said. He was from the state's far north and there had been a "number of sightings" of the tractor, Det Insp Chetham said. "We don't have specific concerns about what he might do in the community ... but we certainly ask people not to approach him and to call us immediately if they have any information," he said. A 28-year-old man serving two years for break-and-enter offences escaped from the prison farm in February 2023, and was arrested three days later. A manhunt is under way after an inmate escaped a prison farm in a tractor. Michael Graeme Rennie, 43, was last seen using the machinery on work duty at Lotus Glen Low Custody Correctional Centre in far north Queensland. Rennie likely left the farm in the red-coloured tractor on Sunday morning, Detective Inspector Jason Chetham said. "I haven't heard that one before," he told reporters on Monday. "There have obviously been prisoners abscond from the corrections centre up there in the past but I don't think anyone's left on a tractor." Police are on the lookout for the heavily tattooed Rennie who is serving more than six years for motor vehicle, weapon, drug and other offences including serious assault, theft and burglary. Police have released a picture of Rennie and the tractor he was using when he escaped the Atherton Tablelands prison farm near Cairns on Sunday. "The Tablelands is an agricultural centre so tractors on the road I don't think are something that would turn a lot of heads, but we're keen to find it anyway," Det Insp Chetham said. Rennie is described as Caucasian and 174cm tall, with blue eyes and fair hair. He has multiple tattoos across his body including a gun on his left shoulder, a demon holding a skull with horns on his left arm, a full sleeve on his right arm. Rennie also has multiple dog bites and scars on his left arm, police said. He was from the state's far north and there had been a "number of sightings" of the tractor, Det Insp Chetham said. "We don't have specific concerns about what he might do in the community ... but we certainly ask people not to approach him and to call us immediately if they have any information," he said. A 28-year-old man serving two years for break-and-enter offences escaped from the prison farm in February 2023, and was arrested three days later. A manhunt is under way after an inmate escaped a prison farm in a tractor. Michael Graeme Rennie, 43, was last seen using the machinery on work duty at Lotus Glen Low Custody Correctional Centre in far north Queensland. Rennie likely left the farm in the red-coloured tractor on Sunday morning, Detective Inspector Jason Chetham said. "I haven't heard that one before," he told reporters on Monday. "There have obviously been prisoners abscond from the corrections centre up there in the past but I don't think anyone's left on a tractor." Police are on the lookout for the heavily tattooed Rennie who is serving more than six years for motor vehicle, weapon, drug and other offences including serious assault, theft and burglary. Police have released a picture of Rennie and the tractor he was using when he escaped the Atherton Tablelands prison farm near Cairns on Sunday. "The Tablelands is an agricultural centre so tractors on the road I don't think are something that would turn a lot of heads, but we're keen to find it anyway," Det Insp Chetham said. Rennie is described as Caucasian and 174cm tall, with blue eyes and fair hair. He has multiple tattoos across his body including a gun on his left shoulder, a demon holding a skull with horns on his left arm, a full sleeve on his right arm. Rennie also has multiple dog bites and scars on his left arm, police said. He was from the state's far north and there had been a "number of sightings" of the tractor, Det Insp Chetham said. "We don't have specific concerns about what he might do in the community ... but we certainly ask people not to approach him and to call us immediately if they have any information," he said. A 28-year-old man serving two years for break-and-enter offences escaped from the prison farm in February 2023, and was arrested three days later. A manhunt is under way after an inmate escaped a prison farm in a tractor. Michael Graeme Rennie, 43, was last seen using the machinery on work duty at Lotus Glen Low Custody Correctional Centre in far north Queensland. Rennie likely left the farm in the red-coloured tractor on Sunday morning, Detective Inspector Jason Chetham said. "I haven't heard that one before," he told reporters on Monday. "There have obviously been prisoners abscond from the corrections centre up there in the past but I don't think anyone's left on a tractor." Police are on the lookout for the heavily tattooed Rennie who is serving more than six years for motor vehicle, weapon, drug and other offences including serious assault, theft and burglary. Police have released a picture of Rennie and the tractor he was using when he escaped the Atherton Tablelands prison farm near Cairns on Sunday. "The Tablelands is an agricultural centre so tractors on the road I don't think are something that would turn a lot of heads, but we're keen to find it anyway," Det Insp Chetham said. Rennie is described as Caucasian and 174cm tall, with blue eyes and fair hair. He has multiple tattoos across his body including a gun on his left shoulder, a demon holding a skull with horns on his left arm, a full sleeve on his right arm. Rennie also has multiple dog bites and scars on his left arm, police said. He was from the state's far north and there had been a "number of sightings" of the tractor, Det Insp Chetham said. "We don't have specific concerns about what he might do in the community ... but we certainly ask people not to approach him and to call us immediately if they have any information," he said. A 28-year-old man serving two years for break-and-enter offences escaped from the prison farm in February 2023, and was arrested three days later.
Perth Now
5 days ago
- Perth Now
Prisoner at large after riding a tractor to freedom
A manhunt is under way after an inmate escaped a prison farm in a tractor. Michael Graeme Rennie, 43, was last seen using the machinery on work duty at Lotus Glen Low Custody Correctional Centre in far north Queensland. Rennie likely left the farm in the red-coloured tractor on Sunday morning, Detective Inspector Jason Chetham said. "I haven't heard that one before," he told reporters on Monday. "There have obviously been prisoners abscond from the corrections centre up there in the past but I don't think anyone's left on a tractor." Police are on the lookout for the heavily tattooed Rennie who is serving more than six years for motor vehicle, weapon, drug and other offences including serious assault, theft and burglary. Police have released a picture of Rennie and the tractor he was using when he escaped the Atherton Tablelands prison farm near Cairns on Sunday. "The Tablelands is an agricultural centre so tractors on the road I don't think are something that would turn a lot of heads, but we're keen to find it anyway," Det Insp Chetham said. Rennie is described as Caucasian and 174cm tall, with blue eyes and fair hair. He has multiple tattoos across his body including a gun on his left shoulder, a demon holding a skull with horns on his left arm, a full sleeve on his right arm. Rennie also has multiple dog bites and scars on his left arm, police said. He was from the state's far north and there had been a "number of sightings" of the tractor, Det Insp Chetham said. "We don't have specific concerns about what he might do in the community ... but we certainly ask people not to approach him and to call us immediately if they have any information," he said. A 28-year-old man serving two years for break-and-enter offences escaped from the prison farm in February 2023, and was arrested three days later.
7NEWS
5 days ago
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Prisoner escapes on big red tractor from Far North Queensland correctional farm
A convicted offender has sparked a major police search after escaping from a low-security prison farm on a big red tractor. Police say Michael Graeme Rennie, 43, was last seen around 10:20am on Sunday morning driving a Red Massey Tractor with a front bucket, while carrying out duties at Lotus Glen Low Custody Correctional Centre in Far North Queensland. His disappearance was discovered during a midday headcount. Detective Inspector Jason Chetham confirmed the prisoner — and the tractor— remain unaccounted for. 'We are seeking information in relation to the believed absconsion of Michael Graeme Rennie from the Green Correctional Centre yesterday,' Chetham said. 'He was conducting duties at the facility using a Red Massey Tractor, which is also currently unaccounted for. 'So we believe he may well have left the facility with the tractor.' The escape did not appear to involve ramming through any barriers. 'No, I don't believe so,' Chetham said. 'The Tablelands Criminal Investigation Branch are leading the investigation, so hopefully we'll have some more clarity later this afternoon about the exact manner in which he left the facility.' While prisoner escapes are rare, the method has taken even seasoned officers by surprise. 'Yes, I haven't heard that one before — I don't think anyone's left in a tractor before,' Chetham added. The Tablelands region, known for agriculture, is not unfamiliar with tractors on public roads. 'The Tablelands is an agricultural sector, so tractors on the road are not something that would turn a lot of heads,' Chetham explained. Authorities believe Rennie, who is originally from Far North Queensland, may attempt to reach family in the area. 'He doesn't have far to go to get to family, so that is obviously an angle we're ruling out at the moment,' Chetham said. Rennie is described as 174cm tall with a light build, fair complexion, blue eyes and fair hair. He has numerous distinctive tattoos, including a gun on his left shoulder, a clown with a gun on his ribs, and full Celtic sleeves on both arms and one leg. Police are urging the public to avoid approaching him. 'Contact police immediately and convey the information. We'll act on it ASAP,' Chetham said. 'We don't have specific concerns about what he might do in the community or that he is targeting anyone, but we certainly ask people not to approach him.' Rennie is currently serving six years, three months and 23 days for a string of serious offences, including assault, burglary, vehicle theft, and drug and weapons charges. Stream free on
