Police have intensified their hunt for prison escapee Joel Back, expanding the search area to dense bushland and farming properties north-east of Pardelup Prison Farm where the 42-year-old left on foot on Sunday.
A member of the public reported what is believed to be a sighting of Mr Back about 7am on Monday at the intersection of Boyup Road and Eulup-Manurup Road, northwest of Mt Barker.
Great Southern police officers and detectives along with a drone are desperately searching for Mr Back after he fled the minimum security jail on Sunday.
There were no sightings of the prisoner overnight but from information gathered from a public report on Monday, the search area was focusing on farms and bush near Wamballup Nature Reserve.
Police also believe Mr Back may have changed clothes in the time since his escape from custody.
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Albany Detective Senior Sergeant Drew Reeder said the situation was ever-changing, urging anyone who sees Mr Back not to approach him but to call the police immediately.
“We are using that (possible sighting) as a line of inquiry and working with members of the public in an attempt to locate Mr Back,” Sen. Sgt Reeder said.
“Currently we have land and air resources deployed in the area and we will continue to search until he is found.
“We encourage people not to pick up any hitchhikers, report any suspicious activity or people and any possible movement on their farms in that area.
“We are concerned but we believe there is no imminent threat presented to the community at this time.”
Mr Back is described as being 175cm tall with dark hair, a tattoo on his left arm and a scar on his forehead.
He was last seen wearing green clothing.
In February this year, Mr Back was sentenced to an immediate prison term of one year and two months and made eligible for parole for a string of burglary, stealing and fraud charges.
He pleaded guilty to stealing and burglary charges after breaking into an Albany optometrist store on January 7, stealing more than $15,000 worth of glasses.
The court was told Mr Back gained entry to Laubman & Pank by kicking and charging its glass front door.
Once inside, he stole prescription glasses and sunglasses, which had a total value of $15,315.
Mr Back was captured on nearby CCTV footage before the incident, covering his face with his shirt and raising his middle finger at the camera as he passed it.
Mr Back also pleaded guilty and was sentenced for 26 gains benefit by fraud charges and four charges of possession of identification material with intent to commit an offence for offences that occurred between October 12 and December 25, 2022.
Any member of the public who sees Mr Back is advised not to approach him but to call the police immediately on 131 444.
Anyone with information regarding his whereabouts is also urged to contact police.
Mr Back is the second prisoner to escape from Pardelup Prison Farm in a year after Blake Cavanough fled from the jail in October, 2022.