The hunt is on for a notorious burglar after a Police officer blundered and released him on bail without proper authority the night before he was due to appear in Supreme Court.

The shoddy Police handling of the release of Toronto McDonald Darrell invoked the wrath of Assistant Justice Charles-Etta Simmons after he failed to show up for his hearing in court on Friday morning.

Darrell, 36, of Cedar Hill, Warwick, was arrested on Thursday afternoon for breaching the terms of his probation conditions since being released from Westgate Correctional Facility on December 8.

However, two hours later, he was released from the Police cell.

He had been serving a sentence for breaking and entering a home and sleeping in the bed next to the occupant of the house.

Darrell, who has an extensive record which involves escaping lawful custody and burglary offences, should have been held in custody until his appearance yesterday morning.

Mrs. Justice Simmons expressed her frustration at the events surrounding his release and immediately reissued a warrant for his arrest.

She also ordered that the Police officer who bailed him be present in Supreme Court once Darrell was apprehended.

"You will be aware that I have issued another warrant for him," she told Crown counsel Shade Subair.

"A Police officer without authority has bailed him - it's the darndest thing I've ever seen in my life. I want him held in custody until he is brought before me - and that person who released him without authority, I want to know why."

Under the terms of his probation conditions, Darrell was to seek regular drug testing and consult his probation officer periodically.

In addition, he was supposed to hold regular employment.

But since his release from prison, he lapsed on all three of these conditions.

Last night, Police media relations spokesman Dwayne Caines issued a statement saying that there was an active search on for Darrell.

"Toronto McDonald Darrell was bailed inadvertently due to an administrative error," he said.

"Meanwhile, steps have been put in place ensuring this mishap will not take place in the future."

Police are appealing for anyone who knows the whereabouts of Darrell to contact them.