Fugitive who taunted police on Facebook still missing

Photo / File

A fugitive who taunted police on a Facebook appeal for his whereabouts remains at large.

Arrest warrants were issued by police for Michael Hagger, who faces shoplifting charges and failed to appear in the Taupo District Court in May.

He has remained on the run, but that didn't stop him from cheekily taunting the Tauhara Paetiki Neighbourhood Policing Team when it posted a Facebook appeal for information about the whereabouts of the 34-year-old.

Hagger responded by posting "hoo rah" and "liked" the police's page.

Police answered his post saying, "Hi Michael Hagger, glad to see you like the page. Please contact Det Dunn and arrange getting these matters sorted."

Hagger had not been found and police were still looking for him, said Acting Taupo area commander Senior Sergeant Tony Jeurissen.

By making the online post Hagger had "drawn national attention to himself and increased our chances of finding him", he said.