UPDATED: NT Police have located 20-year-old Murphy Ward who escaped from Corrections while in the custody of private firm G4S on Monday afternoon, but police had failed to inform the public that Ward was recently charged with a series of violent crimes, including aggravated assault and choking, strangling and suffocating.

Police released a statement about his escape around 6:30pm Monday, advising that Ward had “slipped out of his restraints before jumping over a nearby fence at the watch house on Bath Street” in Alice Springs around 5pm.

“The public are urged not to approach him and to contact police immediately if sighted,” the Monday police statement said.

He was later apprehended on Wednesday morning.

“Members from Strike Force Viper, the Fugitive Task Force and general duties located and arrested the offender this morning at a residence in Ilparpa,” police said Wednesday morning.

“He has been conveyed to the Alice Springs watch house and is expected to be charged with escape from lawful custody.”

Ward was scheduled to appear in Alice Springs Local Court on Tuesday.

Action For Alice Facebook page reported Tuesday that Ward was facing serious charges stemming from a February 15 incident, including aggravated assault against a pregnant woman; choking, strangling or suffocating; damage to property; and other charges, which were disclosed in an NT Police press release at the time, with his name withheld.

He was to appear in court on February 20 to answer for those charges, but it appears the scheduled appearance may not have occurred on that day.

Ward’s name also appeared on the March 3 Alice Springs court list for a bail application in connection to offences including receiving stolen property; obtaining a financial advantage by deception; two counts of attempted aggravated burglary involving a dwelling and a building; theft; and damage to property.

“Anyone with information in relation to his whereabouts is urged to contact police on 131 444 quoting reference number P26063861, or report anonymously via Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000,” police said.