Anthony Karam: Family reveal WHY accused ‘public enemy’ allegedly went on the run

A Covid-positive businessman accused of being ‘public health enemy number one’ allegedly went into hiding because he was scared police would ‘harass’ him in isolation, his family claim. 

Anthony Karam, 27, was arrested by officers dressed in full PPE and carrying battering rams at his younger brother’s unit in Wentworth Park, in Sydney’s west, about 5.30pm on Thursday. 

It came a week after authorities took the extraordinary step of naming the alleged Covid fugitive, accusing him of him of failing to isolate, breaching health orders and putting the public at risk. 

A family source told Daily Mail Australia that the trucking businessman and his parents had caught Covid after one of his brothers was infected at work. 

Karam tested positive on August 14, thirteen days ago. However, the source claimed Karam put down his parent’s address when he presented for testing at a NSW Health clinic. 

He was allegedly concerned police would ‘harass’ him. 

Authorities took the extraordinary step of identifying Karam and his illness, out of fears the public had been placed at risk

Video showed the 27-year-old being led out of a Wentworth Park unit by police on Friday, wearing a gown, mask and face visor. Karam told a reporter he had ‘proof’ he had been isolating the whole time, contrary to the police allegations

‘When symptoms began to show, Anthony got tested, but put his parents’ address on his Covid test because he was witnessing how much harassment comes from authorities for having Covid,’ the source claimed.

‘They arrive at any time of the day and without warning, bang on the door as hard as they can.’  

Officers have previously alleged that Karam gave authorities an incorrect address. NSW Police regularly check up on Covid patients and close contacts to ensure they are isolating.

The family source claimed: ‘Anthony was giving an ultimatum saying that he can either go into hotel quarantine (for weeks) or they would throw the book at him.

‘He tried to negotiate but they were firm with their options.’

Police repeatedly failed to find Karam after his positive test almost a fortnight ago and last Friday pleaded for the public’s help finding him. 

It was the first time authorities have used Section 62 of the Public Health Act to publicly identify New South Wales resident and their medical history.

NSW Police released footage of Karam coughing in the elevator of an apartment building. 

Chief Health Officer Dr Kerry Chant also took the unprecedented step of releasing a statement warning the community to avoid approaching him. 

Police released footage (above) of Karam coughing in an apartment building elevator during the manhunt 

Police have since charged Karam with 13 offences and on Friday he was formally refused bail  at Bankstown Local Court

The family source claimed Karam had then gone into isolation at his youngest brother’s home. 

The source claimed Karam had at one point offered to FaceTime police officers and NSW Health during the manhunt, an offer which was apparently refused. 

Immediately following his arrest this week, Karam insisted he had done nothing wrong. 

‘I have proof I’ve been isolating the whole time – so you do what you like,’ he told Seven News. 

Karam was charged with 13 offences, including nine counts of failing to wear a fitted face covering indoors in common property, failing to comply with public health orders and self-isolation orders, and ‘not prevent spread of a Category 2 – 5 condition’. 

He did not apply for bail during a brief appearance at Bankstown Local Court on Friday, due to problems in setting up a video link, given his Covid-positive status. Bail was formally refused. 

The state reported 882 Covid cases and two deaths overnight.