8 Jun 2012

Police still hunting Waikeria prisoners

5:36 am on 8 June 2012

It's believed the pair stole a car in Kihikihi, near Te Awamutu, and travelled north to Kerepehi, south of Thames, where the vehicle was recovered around midday.

Department of Corrections staff and police had earlier said the men hadn't made it past the perimeter of the prison.

But late on Thursday, police told journalists members of public had seen the inmates on the Hauraki Plains.

They say Jesse Lee Ibell, 24, and Wayne Holmes, 23, both have extensive criminal histories and should not be approached.