A Hobart prisoner who fled on foot before stealing a ute from a nearby home and leading officers on a highway pursuit has had his escape brought to a crashing halt.
The 35-year-old man was apprehended around 9.25am on Thursday on the East Derwent Highway, about 15km north of Risdon Prison on the outskirts of the state capital, police say.
He was on the run for about 20 minutes before tyre spikes were used to bring the ute to a halt.
Police say the man, who "came from a minimum security area within the prison", was unarmed, although a shotgun locked in a case was in the ute.
"At this early stage we don't believe anybody outside the prison was involved," Inspector Brett Berry told reporters.
"The offender was not aware of the firearm and did not have access to it at any stage."
Two cars were slightly damaged by the ute, while one officer received minor injuries in a collision caused by the tyre spikes.
The man took the ute from the driveway of a house in Risdon Vale, Insp Berry said.
Anyone with information or footage of a white Ford Ranger ute with registration E10CV driving erratically on Hobart's eastern shore has been asked to contact police.
Tasmania's Justice Department has been contacted for comment.
Australian Associated Press
