TOM LEE/STUFF

The body of a 36-year-old man was found in the Waikato River on Saturday, days after a man fleeing police went into the river. (file)

Police searching the Waikato River for a missing 36-year-old man have recovered a body.

The body was located about 10.30am on Saturday. 

A formal identification process would now take place, a police spokesperson said. 

The 36-year-old man was on the run in Hamilton after he was suspected of assaulting a 26-year-old woman on Friday April 27. 

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Officers went to a house in Montgomery Crescent, Bader, in search of the man around 11pm. 

He fled the property and was tracked by a police dog to the banks of the river near Cobham Bridge. 

Officers used the police boat to search the river while the Auckland-based Eagle helicopter searched from overhead. 

About an hour later the man was seen in the water. Then he disappeared before officers could reach him. 

Earlier, police said the man was already wanted on other matters. 

Police divers trawled the Waikato River for days earlier in the week, but suspended the search due to weather. 

Police were unable to comment further at this stage. 

 - Stuff