Wanted fugitive Ben Biffin remains at large, almost two weeks after he slipped through the clutches of police at Dubbo Hospital.
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An extensive search operation has been in place since January 18 when Biffin, who had been arrested the previous evening in relation to outstanding warrants, escaped from the medical facility.
He stole a vehicle from the Dubbo campus of Charles Sturt University before leading police on a number of high-speed pursuits along the Golden Highway, Castlereagh Highway and other roads in the Mudgee and Gulgong areas.
At one stage, officers attached to the Orana Mid-Western unit had a narrow escape when Biffin drove his vehicle directly at them in a paddock.
Biffin parked his escape vehicle near a childcare centre in the central business district of Mudgee and fled the scene on foot, with police and PolAir units following multiple leads through the early hours of the search but ultimately not tracking him down.
An arrest warrant was issued for Biffin on December 20, 2017 after he failed to appear at Mudgee Court on charges of ‘dangerous and negligible driving, occasioning grievous bodily harm, drive while licence application refused, drive vehicle with illicit drug present in blood second or more times in the last five years’.
Orana Mid-Western Police District duty officer Inspector Dan Skelly said police were continuing to follow leads and will not rest until the 37-year-old is apprehended.
“We know Ben Biffin has a number of associates in the Dubbo and Mudgee areas, and we’re systematically picking through them in the hope it will lead us to him,” Insp Skelly said.
“He’s also got associates in Newcastle, so we can’t rule out the possibility that he has left the area and headed that way as well.
“At this stage he is still wanted and the warrants for his arrest are outstanding.
“It’s important that people remember that he is a wanted criminal and to let us do the approaching.
“Anyone who thinks they see him around should contact us and we’ll make the enquiries.”
Anyone with information that may help police track down Ben Biffin is asked to call Crime Stoppers in 1800 333 000 or ring Mudgee Police Station directly on 6372 8599.
