Great escape

By Melissa Meehan
THE escape of a suspect from a police divisional van in Dandenong last week has sparked a statewide Victoria Police review of the security of 160 similar vehicles.
The man, from Blackburn, escaped by forcing the rear window while the van had stopped at the traffic lights on the corner of Stud Road and Heatherton Road, Dandenong.
Police spokesman Sergeant David Spencer said the man, suspected of burglary, was recaptured minutes later by police following a brief foot chase.
“He will be interviewed in relation to additional offences relating to escaping police custody,” Sgt Spencer said.
He said the aim of the investigation would be to determine whether this was an isolated incident.
“It will also investigate if further checking or modifications to the fleet are needed to eliminate the chances of similar incidences,” Sgt Spencer said.
“Initial examinations indicate that this window may have been incorrectly fitted or repaired.”
Sgt Spencer said the reinforced fibreglass pods on all divisional vans were made several years ago and were rotated through the fleet of Holden utility vehicles as they were replaced.
“Victoria Police has 160 vans with this pod design,” Sgt Spencer said.
“They have been operational since 2005 and carried thousands of prisoners during that time without incident.
“This is the first incident of this nature.
“The pods will remain in service while the investigation is done.”