{
  "id": 36442,
  "title": "Eight alleged offenders who cut off ankle bracelets spark police manhunt",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/02/eight-alleged-offenders-who-cut-off-ankle-bracelets-spark-police",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-08-02T08:56:44.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "ABC News AU",
    "slug": "abc-news-au",
    "url": "https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-08-02/alleged-offenders-cutting-off-ankle-bracelets-sparks-manhunt/106987974"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Six of eight people accused of serious crimes have been apprehended after cutting off their ankle bracelets, authorities confirmed. As of Sunday evening, two men remain at large, according to Simone Taplin, a representative from the WA Police Union. Sergeant Taplin disclosed that six officers are needed to pursue each individual, diverting 48 officers from their regular duties. This surge in resources is being directed towards capturing those who should be incarcerated. The department employs GPS-enabled electronic monitoring bracelets to oversee individuals released on bail or supervision orders. Overcrowded prisons have led to the mandatory use of these devices in specific cases, particularly concerning family and domestic violence offenders. Cutting off such a device constitutes an offence and a breach of supervision conditions, potentially endangering public safety. The Department of Justice has claimed that it does not determine whether offenders are released into the community or the conditions imposed on them. Nevertheless, the WA Police Union argues that managing these prisoners has become an excessive burden on police resources. Opposition Leader Basil Zempilas attributes this issue to the deteriorating state of WA's prison system, alleging that these individuals should remain incarcerated to avoid endangering the community. Those who violate their bail, parole, or ankle bracelet conditions may face up to three years in jail and a fine of $36,000.",
  "summary": "The WA Police Union say six police officers were required to hunt each person who took off the device, meaning 48 officers were diverted from their usual duties this weekend.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}