Police say they are working to locate a man who escaped a police transport van in Taupō this evening.
Samir Derek Belhajjam, 30, fled from a police transport vehicle at the Taupō District Court at around 6pm.
“He was wearing green prison-issue shorts and T-shirt, along with an orange hi-vis vest,” a police spokesperson said.
“Residents may notice an increased police presence as staff work to locate him.”
Anyone who saw Belhajjam or had information on his whereabouts was asked not to approach him but to call 111 immediately.
1News has contacted the Ministry of Justice and the Department of Corrections for comment.
