By RNZ.co.nz and is republished with permission.
Police are appealing for sightings of a dangerous prisoner who failed to return to jail after being allowed to attend a funeral.
Michael Tautari Photo: NZ Police
A police statement said Michael Tautari, 24, should not be approached, as he is considered dangerous.
He is about 165 centimetres tall, of medium-small build, with a large black tattoo across his left cheek.
Tautari was granted permission by a court to to leave jail temporarily to go to a funeral in Kawakawa in Te Tai Tokerau – Northland.
But Corrections told police he did not return.
He was last known to be in the Raumanga area of Whangarei, but he has links to TÄmaki Makaurau – Auckland.
Police said officers were making extensive enquiries to try to find him, and asked that anyone who sees Tautari rings 111 immediately.
“Police want to reassure the community we are doing everything we can to locate him.”
