Escaped prisoner

Whakatane Police spent the later part of yesterday morning and afternoon, trying to apprehend an escaped prisoner named Werimu Rangi HAURAKI.

He has thought to be in a confined area bounded by Commerce Street and Waiewe Street in whakatäne.

Police staff including dogs and a helicopter were deployed to this incident. Police managed to corner the escaped prisoner on at least two occasions but he has evaded Police.

At one stage he was apprehended and handcuffed by police, and whilst being escorted he managed to dive from a balcony over a steep cliff head first.

He is currently naked, except for some weed matting he is wearing and handcuffed. Unfortunately he is being very evasive in very difficult terrain.

This man is determined and does not want to be apprehended.

Police are asking the public if they have sightings of HAURAKI who is six feet tall, with long dreadlocks to contact them via 111.

Police are asking the public not to approach this person and call police.