Samir Derek Belhajjam, 30, escaped from custody on Monday. Photo: NZ POLICE
Police have been hunting for a man who escaped custody in Taupō Monday night.
Samir Derek Belhajjam, 30, fled from a police transport vehicle that was at a court building on Story Place on Monday about 6pm.
He was wearing green prison-issue shorts and T-shirt and an orange hi-vis vest at the time.
The public have been asked not to approach Belhajjam, but to call 111 immediately if they see him.
Police say he now faces a charge of escaping from custody. He also faces charges related to alleged wilful damage and dishonesty offending.
Members of the public may notice more police staff around while officers work to locate him.
Taupō mayor David Trewavas told Morning Report everyone needed to be vigilant.
People should check their garden sheds and backyards, Trewavas said.
"There's a big boat harbour, big marina there so there's all sorts of possibilities."
Business was normal in the CBD Tuesday morning, he said.
Belhajjam is the second person to escape custody in the Waikato region in the last three weeks, after a prisoner climbed down a wall at Waikato Hospital in Hamilton on 23 December.
That person was located.
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