A convicted armed robber who escaped from Goulburn jail was still on the run late last night, as police warned members not to approach the prisoner who they described as ''armed and dangerous''.
Twenty-three-year-old Mark Maukau, who was locked up for armed robbery offences, was discovered missing from the minimum security section of the jail during a roll call about 12.30pm yesterday.
It is unclear exactly how Maukau escaped, but he is believed to have used a screwdriver to threaten an elderly couple and steal their car outside a Goulburn laundromat, El-Washo Laundry, about 12.15pm.
Police say he confronted the couple on the corner of Bourke and Clifford streets, roughly 3km away from the jail, and took their grey 2011 Mazda 3 Sedan, with NSW registration CDY-82G.
Detectives and local police were notified of the escape about 1pm. They stepped up patrols around Goulburn, and believe Maukau may be on the run to western Sydney.
NSW Police say detectives and forensic officers were continuing their inquiries at the Goulburn Correctional Centre yesterday.
Maukau is described as of Maori/Pacific Islander appearance, and 172cm tall with a medium build.
Police are warning members of the public not to approach the escapee, but to call triple-0 if they have any information.
Maukau was serving a two-year sentence for armed robbery, and was set to walk free in April next year.
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