Escaped prisoner caught after 5 days on run

A prisoner who escaped from Waikeria Prison near Te Awamutu last week was caught in Hamilton yesterday.

Earle Roberts, 46, was serving a five-year jail term for burglary, but managed to escape last Tuesday.

Acting Senior Sergeant Andy Bubear said the recapture was "pretty low-key".

He said police received a tip-off from a member of the public about 11am that Roberts was at a Hamilton address.

"We went round and picked him up -- no dramas."

Mr Bubear said Roberts was in custody and will be appearing in court charged with escaping custody on Monday before returning to prison.

- NZPA