Kidnap accused appears in court

Brett Makiri. Photo / NZ Police

An alleged kidnapper who escaped police custody in Auckland has appeared in court this morning handcuffed and flanked by two police officers.

Brett Makiri, 23, has been charged with kidnapping, injuring with intent to injure, unlawful taking of a motor vehicle and escaping police custody.

He has been remanded in custody and will reappear in court on Monday in a bid to apply for bail.

Makiri was originally arrested on Wednesday afternoon after he allegedly kidnapped and assaulted a woman on Monday.

However, while he was being held in an interview room in the Auckland Central police station when he escaped about 6pm.

Detective Senior Sergeant John Sutton said Makiri was arrested just before midnight at an address in Papatoetoe.

Makiri had shaved his head in an attempt to disguise himself, but following the search of several houses of Makiri's associates, the arrest was made by Auckland Police's Central Crime Squad with the assistance of Counties Manukau Police and Delta Dog Squad.

"We remind members of the public and associates of Mr Makiri once again that assisting an escaped prisoner is an offence.''

The 29-year-old woman involved in the kidnapping on Monday night was picked up in Auckland and driven to Coromandel.

She was assaulted several times before escaping when the car she was in ran out of petrol near the Coromandel township.

Makiri was known to the woman and her partner.