Wanted man eludes armed police and helicopter search around Napier

AOS and police dog teams on Neal Cres, Napier, during the search operation. Photo / Duncan Brown

A two-day manhunt using a helicopter and armed police continued late yesterday amid warnings the subject of the search was dangerous and should not be approached by members of the public.

The man being sought by police was 40-year-old, 175kg Brik John Wattie Poi Poi, whose previous exploits include leaping into the Waikato River to evade police while on the run after offences in Napier almost 10 years ago.

The public were being encouraged to report any possible sightings of the man, who had still not been found despite more than 10 hours of aerial scouring of the suburbs of Napier and searches of properties involving Armed Offenders squads in the Onekawa-Pirimai area.

A section of Neal Cres, between Hitchings and Alexander avenues, was closed to members of the public during one of the searches on Thursday afternoon.

The helicopter has been seen making numerous swoops over Napier, including into the dark on Thursday night and throughout yesterday.

Police first confirmed the helicopter was being used in a hunt for wanted a man, and yesterday confirmed the person being sought was Poi Poi, who has contacts in the area being searched.

The search comes almost nine years to the day since Poi Poi was jailed for four years and three months for the theft of a classic car from a Pirimai address a few days before the previous Christmas, his absconding while on bail and his bid for freedom in the currents of the river through Hamilton.

At the time, Poi Poi had more than 50 previous convictions and was regarded as a recidivist burglar.

• Police were early last night still urging anyone with information on Poi Poi's whereabouts or any information that could assist in locating him to call 111, Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or Inspector Dave Greig, of Hawke's Bay Police, on 0211 906967.