1.00pm
A gang associate with a history of violence has breached his home detention and is in hiding from the Whakatane police.
Marley Taipeti, 20, was released from Waikeria Prison to home detention in February.
He had been jailed for four months after being found guilty of unlawfully possessing a firearm.
Police have been searching for Taipeti since March 22 when they realised he was not at the address ordered by the parole board.
Senior Sergeant Pat Tasker said the board had issued a warrant for Taipeti's arrest and return to prison.
"We have had a couple of sightings of him so we know he is still in the area," Mr Tasker said. "We warn people not to approach this man. He has been known to be violent."
Anyone harbouring Taipeti could also be charged.
Taipeti's escape from home detention has brought stinging criticism from Bay of Plenty MP Tony Ryall.
He said the community was becoming fed up with such reports.
"People are becoming increasingly suspicious with those who have records of violence being automatically released into the community. What people don't realise is that these offenders are given permission to run around in that community.
"They can quite happily get to go to the gym or play golf while a security guard sits and watches them -- all at the taxpayers' expense.
"No wonder the police are pulling their hair out."
Taipeti is described as being of medium build, about 172cm tall. He has black hair, brown eyes and a scar on his left forearm. He has the letters Y and F tattooed on the back of his left hand.
- DAILY POST (ROTORUA)
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