South Australian police say Samantha Sullivan, also known as Samantha McNeven, flew in from Darwin on Friday afternoon and was transferred to a Pullman medi-hotel in Adelaide.
She tested negative for COVID-19 but her identification was allegedly later found to be stolen.
Police say about 7.45pm yesterday, 24 hours into her quarantine, the woman left her room and walked down the hotel fire-escape.
“It’s just unfortunate that with the space of time it was very quick,” SA Assistant Commissioner Craig Patterson said.
“Inquiries to date have identified that this is a stolen license and confirmed by NT police.”
Mr Patterson said a CCTV image of the woman was captured and an alert was given to hotel security and other people in the hotel.
Despite the alert the woman was able to get past a security guard at the hotel’s entrance and leave the property.
Police say she caught a taxi near Rundle and Pulteney streets and was taken to a block of flats at Keswick.
However, inquiries have so far been unsuccessful in locating her.
“Although this is not ideal and certainly on the face of it, it would appear they’ve simply walked out, we need to remember this is not a prison — I think it’s well known it’s not an ideal scenario,” Mr Patterson said.
It’s the third time someone has breached medi-hotel security.
In August, a 33-year-old man lied his way past police at the Grand Chancellor, and spent a night on the town, before returning.
That incident prompted a review of security arrangements.
Anyone who knows Samantha Sullivan’s whereabouts; or any taxi or any other private passenger services who might have transported this person, is asked to contact police immediately on 131 444.
