Barefoot burglary accused on the run

An alleged burglar remains on the loose in Motueka after doing a barefoot runner from the police station yesterday.

Casey George William Bowler-Moncur, 44, had been arrested in relation to a number of burglaries when he disappeared around 4.30pm, Senior Sergeant Grant Andrews said.

"We were getting him ready for a transfer to Nelson Court and he's just taken off from out the back of the station."

He said Bowler-Moncur had not been giving police any trouble so was not locked up at the time.

"He hasn't escaped from a secure area at all, he's just taken off."

Police believed Bowler-Moncur was sticking to Motueka's CBD but the search continued overnight with no luck.

"He was seen near the police station around 11pm last night. We've put some cordons in and tracked all over the place (but) we just didn't locate him," Mr Andrews said.

The man was not considered dangerous but was a risk to people's property and vehicles.

Mr Andrews said anyone who noticed anything suspicious in their home or spotted the man should dial 111.

Bowler-Moncur was described as Caucasian, with swarthy skin, an unshaven, scruffy and unkempt appearance, thin build and about 173cm tall.

He was last seen wearing dark coloured jeans, a green jersey-styled top with an open v-neck, and his feet were bare.

Mr Andrews said he was known to be quite transient, which made him harder to locate.

"It's pouring with rain here, he's very lightly clad, he's got no shoes and where he's gone from here I don't know."

- NZPA