Infamous fugitive crashed 21st party before capture

William Stewart may have eluded police for 106 days - but he didn't go undetected when he gatecrashed a 21st birthday party.

Inspector Malcolm Johnston said revellers saw the fugitive standing near a bonfire at the bash in Mayfield, north Canterbury.

"There were a lot of people standing around a bonfire and we have three different individuals confirming he was there. But the property owners did not know he was there," Johnston said.

"They said he was standing at the fire at the back, and they got the impression that a lot of people didn't even know he was there."

Stewart was arrested in the early hours of May 27 after allegedly trying to steal a quadbike from Mayfield, where police believe he was camping for the last stretch of his escapade.

A makeshift campsite was found 70m from a public rest area to the north of the town, about 112km from Christchurch.

He will face up to 50 new charges relating to his time on the run when he appears in the Christchurch District Court this week.

Stewart has already been charged with dangerous driving, possession of cannabis and breaching bail and release conditions.

Police also allege he broke into houses, shops and farm buildings and stole food, property and vehicles, including a motorbike, ute and a Ford Falcon XR6 with a full tank of petrol.

"There will be a few more in relation to burglary and thefts of vehicles - about 40 to 50 charges," Johnston said.

Stewart - who named himself Billy the Hunted One in a note left at one house he allegedly broke into - was likened to New Zealand's most famous escaper, "Gentleman" George Wilder, during his time as a fugitive. Fans dedicated Facebook pages to Stewart, printed T-shirts and even wrote a song in his honour.

He has not told police about how he managed to survive but is believed to have had help from the public. Johnston said police had no plans to charge anyone.

Stewart was released from prison last July but the Parole Board issued a warrant for his recall on October 23 after he didn't return to the address he was supposed to be living at.

He had been serving time for kidnapping his partner, assaulting her and holding her captive at a Nelson motel in 2007. Police stepped up the hunt for Stewart in February after he threatened a lone police officer with a metal bar near the Rangitata River.