Police hunt man after pharmacy ram raid

A man wanted by police is believed to have been involved in a ram raid at a Christchurch pharmacy overnight.

William Alexander Stewart, 47, has five warrants out for his arrest.

Stewart was unpredictable and should not be approached, Senior Sergeant Stu Munro, of Lincoln, said.

Mr Munro said the Halswell Chemist was ram-raided this morning and it was believed Stewart was involved.

"He then dumped the vehicle he was in about 6am in Wigram Road and allegedly stole another nearby in Winchops Rd," Mr Munro said.

The stolen vehicle is a white 1993 Subaru Legacy, registration CR6361.

Stewart has been sought by police for a number of weeks since he confronted an officer near the Rangitata River.

It was believed he had been living rough in rural central Mid-Canterbury.

He is a Caucasian male, 177cm tall, of thin build, and has now cut his long straggly hair, down to a rough No 2 cut. He was unkempt.

He should not be approached, police said, appealing for sightings of him or the vehicle.

- NZPA