Manhunt continues for escaped detainee being taken for deportation
Police are searching for an escaped detainee who remains on the run after he attacked Australian Border Force officials this morning.
Two Australian Border Force (ABF) officials were injured by 28-year-old Tongan national Paea Teu, who they were escorting to Sydney airport to be deported.
Around 3.40am, today police were called to Clyde in Sydney's west to find a 54-year-old man had been stabbed in the neck and cheek and a 36-year-old man had been assaulted.
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Police believe he used a sharpened metal nail clipper to attack the two contractors.
The ABF contractors were taking the 28-year-old man from the Villawood detention centre in western Sydney to the airport to be deported.
Teu remains on the run, and was last seen in a black hoodie and tracksuit pants.
He has no history of violence in Australia, but 9News understands he was being deported because he had overstayed his visa.
The two injured men – the driver and passenger in the car – are being treated at Westmead Hospital. They remain in a stable condition.
NSW Police Superintendent Simon Glasser said Teu is known to police and frequents Mount Pritchard and other areas in south-west Sydney.
He was last tracked by the dog squad heading west towards the suburb of Harris Park.
"This was obviously a violent offence that's occurred, so we do ask members of the public to be wary if they believe they see him and contact us, not to approach him," Glasser said.
"We ask members of the public if they sight him to contact Triple Zero and not to approach."
Teu is described as being of Pacific Islander/Maori appearance, with a tanned complexion, a large build, about 180cm tall with black hair, dark eyes and is unshaven.
At the time he was wearing a black coat, black track pants and black and white sneakers.
The United Workers Union (UWU) said the ABF contractors had suffered significant injuries, just months after having to fight for their jobs.
"It has been a hard year for those members, made harder by these unsafe systems of work," UWU spokesperson Godfrey Moase said.
All detainee transport has been paused until futher notice.
A review has also been opened into why Teu was not handcuffed inside the vehicle during the transportation.
Anyone with information should call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
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