Hanlon Park, Brisbane coffee attack: Top cop reveals how coward may have been able to escape the country

A former detective has revealed that the coward who poured scalding coffee over a nine-month-old baby may have been able to flee the country because authorities did not know his name.

Queensland Police are working with partner organisations around the world amid concerns the man responsible for the horrific attack may have fled or even left Australia.

Little Luka Burgic was picnicking with his mother Erna at Hanlon Park, in Brisbane’s south-east, when the man approached them around midday on August 27 and poured a thermos of hot coffee over the baby before running away.

The baby suffered life-threatening burns to his face, upper body and arms. As a result of the unprovoked attack, he has undergone four operations at Queensland Children’s Hospital.

There are serious concerns that the unknown attacker is trying to evade justice by hiding abroad.

Former Queensland police chief Jim Keogh was asked on Sunrise how the alleged perpetrator was able to flee the country when his face was everywhere in the hours after the horrific crime.

‘In terms of boarding a plane, if you go to an airport alarm or a passport alarm, you have to have a name. You can’t just go with a picture.

They can certainly pass through the country and certainly leave it again.

Former Queensland police chief Jim Keogh (pictured) was asked on Sunrise how the alleged perpetrator was able to flee the country, while his face was seen everywhere in the hours after the horrific crime.

However, Mr Keogh said he was surprised that no one had identified the perpetrator from the footage.

“I think the police have a pretty good idea who the perpetrator is. And if they’re travelling internationally, there has to be information or intelligence that suggests the perpetrator has fled Australia,” he added.

Queensland Police will provide an update on Monday morning.

Mr Keogh warned that if the alleged attacker had fled abroad it would be “less easy” to track him down as the images would not be circulated.

“While Interpol and the police there are quietly and covertly looking for the perpetrator, you don’t get the support that we have here in the Australian community,” Mr Keogh added.

Former researcher Charlie Bezzina previously told Daily Mail Australia that the man’s act was so horrific that it was only a matter of time before he was caught.

“If he has escaped, he won’t be able to hold out much longer,” said the acclaimed detective, who has led several manhunts during his career.

Luka Burgic’s mother, Erna, says she suffers from flashbacks of the horrific ordeal

‘Interstate police relations are very strong. Within Australia there will be no problem (finding him).

‘When he goes abroad, there is sometimes a concern that in some third world countries they don’t really take into account crimes that are committed outside their borders.

‘But in this case, given the enormity of the horrific act this man allegedly committed on a young baby, it will strike a chord in the hearts of every government – and every law enforcement agency – around the world.

“And no one wants the bad publicity that comes from having this suspect, who is suspected of committing this heinous crime, in their country and they don’t cooperate.”

Mr Bezzina urged anyone with information to come forward immediately.

The man is described as between 30 and 40 years old, with a proportionate build and tanned skin.

During the attack he was wearing a black hat, glasses, a shirt and shorts.

Police tracked his movements after the attack to the southern Brisbane suburb of Tarragindi, where he changed clothes outside a church.

He then took a taxi into downtown Brisbane, driving to Caxton Street where the tracks ended.