- Fugitive used identification from a fellow patient
After the escape of a 26-year-old from the "Measures of Constraint" facility in Lower Saxony's Moringen, new details about the escape have emerged. The fugitive used the ID of a fellow patient to gain access to a less secure area of the facility. The Lower Saxony Ministry of Social Affairs confirmed reports from the "Göttingen Daily News" and "NDR". The man was not adequately checked when he crossed into the less secure area, where only those with regular leave are present.
The fugitive has not been apprehended yet, but authorities have stated that he does not pose a threat to the public.
It was also reported that the 26-year-old was placed in the more secure, closed section of the facility in May due to a previous escape attempt. He had not returned from a permitted leave and was later apprehended. The "Measures of Constraint" facility houses criminals with substance abuse or mental health issues, as ordered by a court.
Over two weeks on the run
More than two weeks ago, the 26-year-old reportedly left the "Measures of Constraint" facility near Göttingen through a double door. A waiting car took him away. In response, the gate area was reinforced with barbed wire, among other measures. Further steps are being considered.
According to the Lower Saxony Ministry of Justice, the 26-year-old was sentenced to four years and six months in prison for a particularly severe case of armed robbery at a betting shop in Hannover. He has been serving this sentence at the "Moringen Measures of Constraint" center since November 2020.
Several similar cases
In recent history, there have been several similar cases: In November, a criminal who had escaped from the "Measures of Constraint" was arrested in France, over four months after his escape. In September 2022, police in Celle apprehended a fugitive prisoner after a multi-day chase.
The escape of the 26-year-old from the "Measures of Constraint" facility has raised concerns about security protocols, as it is not the first time such a crime has occurred.
The fact that the fugitive was serving a sentence for armed robbery adds a new layer of complexity to the case, as it underscores the seriousness of the crime he was attempting to evade.
