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People sheltering escaped prisoners Anthony Taka and Daniel Minogue have been warned they could be prosecuted.
The two men who fled from the court cells at Te Awamutu District Court about 11am yesterday have been described by police as dangerous.
Detective Sergeant Ross Patterson, from the Te Awamutu police, said today there had been no sign of the two men since yesterday morning.
"Anybody who gets away from the prison is usually pretty keen on staying out and capable of being violent if they want to stay out.
"The public should stay away."
He said anyone who helped the pair hide from police would be prosecuted.
Taka faced charges of assaulting a female prison guard at Waikeria Prison, while Minogue was accused of possessing cannabis.
Taka, from Whakatane, was Maori, about 183cm tall with short hair and a stocky athletic build.
Minogue, from the Rotorua-Taupo area, was also Maori, about 183cm tall, of slim build with an 8cm wide mohawk haircut.
- NZPA
