Tokoroa Police are continuing their search for Randolf Terrence Bennett who escaped from police custody after a court appearance two days ago.
Detective Sergeant Kevan Verry, officer in charge of Tokoroa CIB, said that police checked several properties in the South Waikato area yesterday for 43-year-old Bennett, who is facing methamphetamine related charges. Bennett should not be approached and people who see him are urged to immediately contact police.
Police believe Bennett, who is Caucasian described as slimly built, short dark to greying hair and 182cm tall, has known links to the South Waikato and Tokoroa area including Tirau and Arapuni.
“It’s highly likely that he is being helped by associates to avoid capture. Anyone tempting to helping Bennett avoid detection should think very carefully about this as they run the risk of legal consequences.”
Bennett had been arrested on Tuesday as part of a Bay of Plenty drugs operation and appeared in Tokoroa District Court on Wednesday morning. He was remanded in custody and was being escorted about 11.30am to a police prisoner truck when he managed to escape from a yard at the back of the court.
He was last seen running through an alleyway and getting into a blue coloured car in the Mitre 10 carpark in Campbell Street, Tokoroa.
“Our immediate focus is finding Bennett and getting him back in custody,” Detective Sergeant Verry said. “We want to know where he is, if anyone has seen him or has knowledge of a blue car he got into in Tokoroa, and where be might be hiding now.
“Anyone who has information which will help us is urged to contact Tokoroa Police. Alternatively, people who feel they can’t talk to us direct can provide information anonymously through Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.”
A photo of Bennett is attached.
Ends
Released by: Kaye Calder, Public Affairs, Police National Headquarters,
Tel 04 460 2986 or 027 241 6305
