An Altona North fugitive wrongly bailed because of an administrative bungle was found last Friday in north-west Victoria, about 230 kilometres from Melbourne.
Andrew Brian Males, 35, was found at Korong Vale about 9.45am after a joint effort between Maryborough police, Bendigo highway patrol and Melboure’s Fugitive taskforce.
Detective Sergeant Mick Gunn of the Fugitive taskforce said Males was arrested without incident.
Males was last month bailed by the County Court pending a trial for aggravated burglary.
A warrant was issued for his arrest when he failed to show at the Melbourne Magistrates Court on Wednesday to face charges of threats to kill, and assault and weapons offences.
That’s when police realised he should not have been bailed in relation to the charges read at the April hearing.
Males was found in a caravan at a residential property after an overnight search.
He was with a 36-year-old Newport woman who has not been arrested.
Detective Sergeant Gunn said an administrative error led to Males’ release.
“He faced the County Court about seven weeks ago for aggravated burglary charges and applied for bail,” Detective Sergeant Gunn said.
“He was returned to Port Phillip Prison and through an administration error they’ve let him out.”
Victoria Police and Corrections Victoria are investigating the circumstances surrounding Males’ release from custody.
Males has been remanded to appear at Melbourne Magistrates Court on June 2.
– With Bendigo Advertiser
