HILO, Hawai'i — Big Island police last night were continuing a search for a 28-year-old man who did not return to jail after he was released from the Hawai'i Community Correctional Center on Aug. 7 to attend a drug treatment program.

Wren Kealoha Evans was arrested in January in connection with forgery, theft and identity-theft charges as well as traffic offenses in connection with "many" incidents where he allegedly fled from police in a vehicle, police said.

He was being held at HCCC in lieu of $100,000 bail, but police said jail officials released Evans to attend a Hilo drug treatment program on Waianuenue Avenue. Evans, who is also known as Wren Beaumont, was last seen walking down Waianuenue near the Hawai'i Public Library, police said.

Big Island police said they did not learn Evans was missing until a Big Island newspaper published a story about his release Wednesday. Evans is described as Caucasian, 5 feet 9 inches tall and 175 pounds. He has a shaved head and brown eyes.

Police do not consider Evans dangerous, but advised the public not to approach him. Anyone with information on Evans' whereabouts is asked to call Detective Robert Wagner at 961-2380 or the police nonemergency number at 935-3311.

Tipsters who prefer to remain anonymous may call Crime Stoppers at 961-8300 in Hilo or 329-8181 in Kona. All Crime Stoppers information is kept confidential.