New Zealand

Teenage murderer who escaped from youth facility caught

16:58 pm on 9 July 2020

Convicted murderer Haami Hanara, who escaped from a Youth Justice Facility in Auckland over the weekend, has been caught by police after a foot chase in South Auckland this afternoon.

Haami Hanara Photo: Pool photo

Hanara, 16, was serving a sentence of life imprisonment for murder, when he escaped from Korowai Manaaki on Saturday night.

Police said he was spotted in the Auckland suburb of Wiri this afternoon and was taken into custody "following a short foot pursuit".

Detective Inspector Chris Barry said Hanara will face a charge of escaping from lawful custody and will appear in the Manukau Youth Court on Friday.

"We hope that this outcomes brings some reassurance to our communities and I would like to acknowledge the staff who have worked on this matter since Saturday night."

Hanara escaped with 17-year-old Sean Ratu through a reinforced window before crossing the roof and breaking out through the staff carpark. Police are still searching for him.

Ratu was on remand in the facility for "very serious offences".