Kochi | Two persons arrested in a theft case escaped from police custody when they were taken to a magistrate’s residence for remand proceedings at North Paravoor on Sunday, officials said.

According to officials at the Kadavanthra police station, the accused, identified as Russel from Pathanamthitta and Sooraj from Alappuzha, were arrested in connection with a theft case in Kochi.

They were taken to the magistrate’s residence in North Paravoor for remand proceedings, as it was a Sunday, police said.

After reaching the residence in the evening, the handcuffs of the duo were removed, following which they allegedly pushed a police officer and escaped.

Though police attempted to chase them, they managed to flee.

North Paravoor police have launched an investigation into the incident.

An alert has been issued to nearby police stations, and a combing operation is underway to trace the accused, police said.

Later in the night, police traced Sooraj to Chendamangalam.

Officials said he was found hiding near a canal after police, assisted by residents, tracked him down. The search for Russel is underway.