A fleeing driver jumped off a bridge into a swollen Waikato river to avoid being captured by police.

Now police have launched a search, scouring the banks of the Waihou River near Te Aroha for the absconder who is believed to be wanted 26-year-old Cody Keenan.

Keenan, who has the words Mighty Mongrel Mob tattooed across his lower face, is wanted by police on numerous charges, including in relation to a recent pursuit in Morrinsvile and for failing to appear in court.

Around 11.20pm on Sunday, police received a tipoff that Keenan had been sighted at a residence in Morrinsville, Waikato police Senior Sergeant Phil Ruddell said.

As officers arrived, a van pulled out of the address.

"They signalled for the van to stop and it failed to do so."

The driver of the van fled and was pursued by several officers, including a dog handler from Morrinsville, to Matamata and back to Te Aroha.

"Due to the weather at the time, the fleeing driver did not drive at very high speeds but was consistently driving over the speed limit."

During the lengthy pursuit, Ruddell said the fleeing driver stopped the vehicle at least twice and, as officers advanced in an attempt to box the driver in, he rammed the patrol cars, causing damage as he escaped.

At the bridge on State Highway 26 in Te Aroha, the driver abandoned the vehicle and jumped into the Waihou River.

River levels were higher than normal due to the heavy rain that fell over the weekend, Ruddell said.

"Despite a prolonged search by police along the banks of the river, the driver was not located."

On Tuesday Eastern Waikato police manager of criminal investigations Detective Senior Sergeant Stephen Ambler said Keenan's family were concerned about his welfare.

"They have assured us they have not had contact with him since [Sunday evening], although he is fairly adept at evading police."

"We do have fears for his safety.

Search and Rescue staff were deployed on Monday evening to search the Waihou River and would continue on Tuesday, although searching would be hampered by poor weather conditions.

"The river is swollen and has broken its banks so we can't put divers in."

Ambler said police would like to hear from anyone who has seen Keenan.

"We don't need a location, just to know he is safe."

He has family in the Morrinsville area and regularly travels between there and Te Aroha.

"We will continue with inquiries today to see if anyone has heard or spoken to him."

If anyone has information or sightings of Keenan, they are asked to phone 111 or contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.