A dangerous prisoner who escaped from custody in Auckland has been caught on camera making a dash for it, as police renew calls for his whereabouts.
Twenty-three-year-old Te Ariki Poulgrain was at a medical facility in Grafton for an appointment on Wednesday when he allegedly escaped Corrections custody.
Police put out a call for sightings for him later on Wednesday afternoon, and on Thursday have released CCTV footage showing the moment he escaped.
"The photo was captured on Park Rd, Grafton at about 1:11pm yesterday," police said of the CCTV image.
"He was wearing a white T-shirt, light coloured shorts and sneakers. He may also still be wearing a pair of handcuffs."
A widespread investigation is underway to locate him, with police reviewing CCTV footage and using the eagle helicopter.
Anyone who sees him is asked to call 111 immediately. Police said he's considered dangerous and shouldn't be approached.
Poulgrain was among a group of three inmates who shanked murderer Graeme Burton at Auckland's Paremoremo Prison in 2018.
He was sentenced to three years and nine months' imprisonment the following year for his part in the attack.
