KEY POINTS:
A suspected cannabis grower who escaped custody while handcuffed on Tuesday was still on the run from police today.
Michael Hurford, also known as Michael Vanderspek, 31, disappeared into the bush near remote Whangamomona, in north Taranaki.
Arrested for burglary, cultivating cannabis and possession of a .22 rifle, he was left handcuffed in his makeshift hut while a lone police officer investigated a plot of 100 cannabis plants in the area.
Senior Sergeant Shaun Keenan, of Stratford, said Hurford had been cooperative up until that moment.
"The seriousness of the situation probably became apparent to him (Hurford) once he found the large cannabis plot so the officer had his hands tied trying to do everything and this guy has done a runner," he told the Taranaki Daily News.
Hurford is described a 178cm tall, Caucasian, slim, wearing dark trousers, a khaki top and with shoulder length blond-brown hair.
Mr Keenan said it was likely he was no longer handcuffed.
"The handcuffs may still be on him but they are not joined," he said.
"Really strong bolt cutters would do it, a hacksaw if you're patient. Might be he's gone to a farm somewhere and used some bolt cutters."
Police were also investigating a report that a man matching his description was seen hitching towards New Plymouth outside Egmont Village between 4pm and 5pm yesterday,
- NZPA
