Notorious car thief back on wanted list

Bill Matara

North Shore police are hunting for a notorious criminal who they say is a P-user, car thief and burglar.

Bill Matara, 30, was the subject of a police chase which made the front page of the Herald when it ended after three crashes in the Birkenhead area in July 2007. Now, officers want to speak to him again about domestic violence and further driving matters.

Detective Sergeant James Watson said Matara had a history of driving recklessly and stealing cars to get away from police.

Matara, a career burglar and car thief, has been sentenced to two six-month jail terms since the 2007 chase, in which he smashed head-on into a Mercedes owned by Browns Bay insurance broker Mark Dryden.

Mr Dryden said he was surprised by the short sentences Matara had received for crimes which had endangered the public.

"I had hoped that he'd go away for a bit longer than that."

Mr Dryden said he had problems with an ankle that "never came right" after the accident and it was frustrating to see Matara offending again.

Mr Watson said that in March police saw Matara in a stolen vehicle.

Matara sped away from officers, turned his car lights off and ranred lights to get away from his pursuers.

The detective said Matara was known to be staying in motels to hide his whereabouts.

He was also known to frequent the Beach Haven area, where he hadchildren.

Two warrants have been issued for Matara's arrest.

Anyone with information is asked to call Detective Sergeant James Watson on (0800) 243-892.