A prisoner on the run has allegedly taken part in two violent robberies and police fear he is becoming desperate.
Madison Jo Randell, who faces multiple charges over a fatal car crash, escaped from custody on Thursday as he was being escorted back to prison from a hospital visit.
Police allege the 18-year-old was involved in two robberies on the Gold Coast the next day.
A bottle shop at Robina was targeted by two people wielding large knives about 8.15pm and a small amount of cash taken.
Fifteen minutes later, a female attendant at a BP service station nearby was also threatened before the offenders made off with a sum of money.
A third person waited outside with a stolen maroon and silver Holden Calais in both incidents.
Gold Coast Superintendent Jim Keogh would not comment on Randell's alleged involvement in both crimes, but said he was likely to commit further offences.
"There's a real propensity for them to strike again and that's why we do need the community's support both in identify offenders concerned and the car that was used," he told reporters on the Gold Coast.
"If you go back to the escape, it was the act of a desperate person.
"Obviously he's still desperate and the police manhunt will continue."
Randell appeared in court on Wednesday to face charges relating to the fatal smash which killed 82-year-old Mario Martorano and critically injured his wife Enid, 72.
He faces at least 12 charges overall from traffic incidents on both November 21 and November 22, the day of the collision.
Police claim Randell was speeding in his unregistered vehicle when it slammed into the couple's panel van at Miami.
Supt Keogh said one man involved in the robberies would be easily identifiable by his tattoos and police were chasing leads.
He urged Randell to give himself up.
"You're only going to make things worse, somebody's going to get hurt," he said.
Police have launched an internal investigation regarding Randell's escape.
