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A "temporary lapse in supervision" resulted in a dangerous offender escaping police custody yesterday - soon after he was arrested for failing to appear in court.
Tuainekore Charlie Rangi was to have appeared in the Auckland District Court yesterday on burglary and vehicle crime charges.
Police arrested him yesterday morning after he failed to appear.
But while his arrest was being processed, police left him alone in the interview room at Glen Innes police station and Rangi fled about 11am yesterday.
Police say Rangi, 30, is considered dangerous and is known to have connections and associates in Otara and Manurewa.
Auckland police spokeswoman Noreen Hegarty said there would be an internal inquiry "as to how someone escaped from custody" but it was far too early to say if any staff would be stood down as a result of the escape.
Detective Senior Sergeant Mark McHattie of Auckland City CIB said anyone found assisting Rangi could face prosecution, and anyone who knew where he is should phone 111 as soon as practicably possible.
Rangi is about 177cm in height and of solid build. He has a scar that runs straight down his right cheek from just below the eye. He also has tattoos, including a coiled king cobra on his right forearm and a snooker 8 ball between his left thumb and forefinger.
