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Police are trumpeting the value of reality TV shows after a man on the run was caught following his appearance on Police 10-7.
Police 10-7, the crime show that profiles real New Zealand cases, had featured missing Hamilton man Xiang Li, 23, wanted in relation to two assaults on September 6.
Detective Sergeant Andy Bu Bear, of Hamilton CIB, said the former university student was located after a member of the public recognised him walking along a street around lunch time yesterday.
Mr Bu Bear said police had held grave concerns for Li's safety, fearing he may have jumped into the Waikato River shortly after the alleged attack on his two female flatmates.
"The Hamilton launch and a dive team from Wellington had been used to search the river for him," Mr Bu Bear said.
Li, an overstayer on an expired student visa, had been in New Zealand for 4-1/2 years and has told police he had been living rough since fleeing the scene of the attack.
He has been charged with two counts of wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm.
- NZPA
