Fugitive continues to give police the run-around

Police are trying to intercept fugitive William Alexander Stewart, pictured here with both long and short hair. Photos / Supplied

A fugitive who has evaded police near Christchurch for six weeks is still on the run today.

Police have been hunting for William Alexander Stewart, 47, since February 10 when he threatened a police officer with an iron bar in central Canterbury before disappearing into bush.

Several recent burglaries have been attributed to Stewart, including hauls of drug products from South Island pharmacies.

Stewart eluded the armed offenders squad (AOS) southwest of Christchurch on Saturday before stealing a purple late model Ford Falcon XR6 and picking up hitchhikers.

Stewart offered the hitchhikers a ride from Hororata, mid-Canterbury, to a nearby motorcycle rally and asked them to get him the drug P.

At the motorcycle rally, run by a group of enthusiasts from New Zealand's Armed Forces, the hitchhikers identified Stewart and called police.

Rally organiser Carey Johns, a soldier at Burnham army camp, said the hitchhikers told him Stewart was "acting strange" and "looking for P".

Stewart fled the rally but was spotted heading towards the Rakaia Gorge 10 minutes later.

Detective Senior Sergeant John Rae said police were unable to seal the gorge in time.

The XR6 had a full tank of petrol and a range of up to 600km, he said.

Vehicle owner Luke Silcock said his car was stolen from a friend's property early on Saturday morning.

The car was locked but Stewart broke into the house, stole the keys and took off, he said.

Mr Rae said Stewart would "certainly pop up again".

"I have little doubt he will commit other offences," he told The Press.

Police believe Stewart's vehicle thefts while on the run now include three cars, a motorbike and a four-wheel-drive.

On Friday, police, armed offenders and a helicopter unsuccessfully searched bush in Governors Bay following the sighting of a lone motorcyclist thought to be Stewart.

He came across a police road block on Banks Peninsula while riding it, but bolted.

Stewart 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.

Mr Rae said he had previously frequented the area between Christchurch and Darfield and back to Temuka and Lake Tekapo.

Police urged the public not to approach him, but to contact them immediately if he was seen.

The stolen car's registration number is DEF988.

- NZPA