As stated by Inspector Soni Malaulau, Tairāwhiti Police:
Gisborne Police are urgently seeking information as to the whereabouts of a man who fled from rural property this morning.
Sonny Kennedy was arrested at a Whakarau Road address around 9:30am, and was searched, before being handcuffed at the front of his body.
An officer was walking the 36-year-old to a police vehicle, before he fled on foot towards Whakarau Road.
The property is approximately 6km south-east of Matawai, around 26km from the intersection with State Highway 2.
Kennedy was dressed in a dark-coloured hoodie and light-coloured trousers and sneakers, and may have fled to a nearby bush area.
Police are working urgently to find him, as there are concerns for his welfare due to his ill-preparedness for the conditions and his potential state of mind.
Police are asking to the public to help us with any information you can. If you see Kennedy or have information as to his whereabouts, please call 111 straight away with any information, rather than approach him directly.
