German police hunt for prisoner after daring rooftop escape

On Sunday morning, a 35-year-old prisoner managed to escape from a prison in Duisburg-Hamborn, Germany. The escape occurred around 3:20 am local time, according to the North Rhine-Westphalia Justice Ministry. The man scaled the exterior of the building before jumping down onto the prison roof. Authorities have not yet determined how he made his way down the prison walls.

The suspect had been in custody since late February on suspicion of theft. He was sentenced to six years in prison in May for two residential burglaries that resulted in significant losses. Prosecutors allege he stole valuable jewelry and over €200,000 in cash during those burglaries. However, the verdict has not yet been officially confirmed.

Investigations revealed that the prisoner had concealed a hiding spot beneath the linoleum floor of his cell, a detail that went unnoticed during routine inspections. No tools were found in this concealed space. Authorities believe he used a bar covering the window of his third-floor cell to break through. Following this, he used the cell table as a lever to open a second security grille over another window. The prisoner then scaled the building's exterior to reach the roof and escaped through an unclear route.

North Rhine-Westphalia's Justice Minister, Benjamin Limbach, expressed shock at the incident. He emphasized that apprehending the fugitive remand prisoner is the top priority. Limbach also pledged to investigate the security breach thoroughly and take immediate action based on the findings.