'Naked' prisoner back behind bars

The handcuffed, near naked escaped prisoner who was still at large this morning has been recaptured by police.

Werimu Rangi Hauraki was found by police in a river near Opotiki this morning and was now being transported to Whakatane police, a spokeswoman said.

Whakatane police caught and handcuffed the dreadlocked Hauraki yesterday morning.

But while being escorted to the police station he dived head first from a balcony over a steep cliff.

Police, including dogs and a helicopter cornered him a couple of times but each time he managed to give them the slip.

"He is currently naked, except for some weed matting he is wearing and handcuffed," acting Inspector Tony Jeurissen of Whakatane police said at the time.


- NZPA