Fugitive continues to give police runaround

Wanted man William Stewart is believed to have swapped cars again as he continues to give South Island police the runaround.

Stewart, 47, on the run since February 10, when he threatened a police officer with an iron bar in central Canterbury before disappearing into bush, was using P and could be unpredictable, police said.

A Ford Falcon he stole in Tai Tapu, 16km southwest of Christchurch, at the weekend was found 60km away in Waddington, 12km northwest of Darfield, on Tuesday.

Stewart was believed to have then stolen a grey 2008 Toyota Hilux, registration number ETU351 from Waddington, and headed back to the Tai Tapu area.

Selwyn sub-area commander Senior Sergeant Stu Munro said police required more information from the public and, if Stewart was spotted, they should call 111.

He should not be approached.

He was described as a Caucasian male, 177cm tall, of thin build. He had cut his long straggly hair down to a rough No 2 cut.

- NZPA