Manhunt for convicted killer who cut off his electronic tracker for the second time this year 

Convicted killer who cut off his electronic tracker for the second time this year is arrested after a 17-hour manhunt

  • A convicted murderer did not return to the Adelaide pre-release centre on Friday
  • Daniel Weetra had also cut off his tracking device sparking a 17-hour manhunt
  • He was arrested on Saturday afternoon after turning himself in at a police station

A convicted murderer sparked a manhunt after cutting off his electronic tracker while on parole for the second time this year.

Daniel Weetra, 39 had failed to return to the Adelaide Pre-Release Centre after cutting his tag off just before 10pm on Friday evening.

Weetra was arrested without incident just before 3.30pm on Saturday when he turned himself in at a police station, South Australian Police said.

Convicted murderer Daniel Weetra (pictured) sparked a manhunt after cutting off his electronic tracker while on parole for the second time this year

Correctional Services Minister Corey Wingard said prior to the arrest that Weetra, who has a criminal history dating back to 1997, was supposed to have returned to the pre-release centre on Friday at 9pm. 

Mr Wingard said the fact Weetra had cut off his tag twice in the past year was ‘unacceptable’, adding he would be conducting a review of the incident.

‘Public safety is paramount,’ he told the Adelaide Advertiser at a press conference on Saturday.

‘I will be doing everything in my power to ensure this does not happen again.’

Weetra was given a life sentence after fatally shooting 75-year-old Frank Webster during a home invasion on September 29, 2000.

He pleaded guilty to the murder of Mr Webster and was given a non-parole period of 13 years. 

Daniel Weetra had failed to return to the Adelaide Pre-Release Centre (pictured) after cutting his tag off just before 10pm on Friday

Daniel Weetra had failed to return to the Adelaide Pre-Release Centre (pictured) after cutting his tag off just before 10pm on Friday

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