KEY POINTS:
Police are puzzled about the motives of those who broke into Matamata police station on Saturday night.
The burglars got in through a front office window, but as they entered the cell block a self-locking door closed behind them, trapping them.
Sergeant Graham McGurk said the intruders had to smash their way out by throwing a chair through a plate glass window.
Nothing appeared to have been stolen, he said.
"We don't know the motive. No prisoners were being held at the time," he said.
"No attempt whatsoever has been made to get to firearms or other police equipment.
"There is no uniform missing, no police equipment missing, no damage has been caused to the interior of the station other than where they have broken in and then broken out."
Mr McGurk said they were following some clues.
Three police officers were on duty but none was at the station.
- NZPA
