AN INMATE on the run after escaping from a prison has been spotted in Tamworth.
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Police stepped up patrols of West Tamworth on Thursday afternoon after a confirmed sighting of Steven Barber.
The 39-year-old is being chased by police after he escaped from the minimum security Glen Innes Correctional Centre on September 19.
On Thursday, Oxley Acting Inspector Josh McKenzie told The Leader Barber had facial hair, different to a photo released by police.
“He was spotted at a shopping centre in West Tamworth at 2.30pm and was believed to be in a white ute,” he said.
“At the time he was wearing a black tracksuit pants, a grey shirt and baseball cap.”
It’s the second sighting of the escapee this week after a member of the public saw a man matching Barber’s description on the Gwydir Highway, about 15km east of Glen Innes, on Monday.
“We would urge members of the public not to approach him but to contact triple zero,” Acting Inspector McKenzie said.
“We would certainly encourage anyone who has any information on his location to contact police.”
On Monday, Barber was believed to have been driving a Polaris All Terrain Vehicle (ATV) which was last seen entering farmland in the Glen Innes area.
Police said at the time Barber was wearing a green and brown camouflage jacket and long dark pants.
The 39-year-old escaped from the minimum security Glen Innes Correctional Centre on September 19.
Correctional officers noticed the window of Barber’s room was smashed and he was missing about 1.05am on September 20.
Barber is described as Caucasian in appearance, around 180cm to 185cm tall with a medium build, and short brown hair.