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An escaped prisoner from Waikeria Prison in Te Awamutu has been arrested in Manurewa after fleeing late last night.
Detective Sergeant Ross Paterson said the man was arrested in Manurewa in South Auckland shortly before 11am.
Sergeant Chris Greenwood said earlier that Harold Quentin Wi, 25, escaped from a medium security unit between 11.35pm yesterday and 12.35am today.
Mr Greenwood said Wi had links to Te Kuiti, Rotorua, Hamilton and Auckland.
He has an extensive criminal history of burglary and violent offending, and the public were warned not to approach him.
Corrections Department assistant regional manager Gavin Dalziel said an inquiry into the escape would be launched.
"It appears that the prisoner was able to get out of his accommodation and exit the low security facility.
Full details of the escape are not yet available and may not be able to be fully confirmed until the prisoner is recaptured and a review into the escape is complete," Mr Dalziel said.
- NZHERALD STAFF
