A "dangerous" criminal has escaped police custody in Wollongong overnight after earlier being arrested on gun and assault charges.
43 year old Jason Rees was taken to Wollongong Hospital for assessment, but disappeared at about 6pm still in handcuffs.
An extensive search has failed to find any sign of him.
He was last seen wearing a Sydney Roosters NRL jersey and black shorts.
He also has a number of tattoos including the southern cross on his neck, a scorpion on his left leg and skull on his upper right arm.
He is described as Caucasian appearance, 175 to 180cm tall, 70 to 80kg, with short light brown hair and blue eyes.
Anyone who sights him should not approach him but contact Triple Zero immediately.