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An inmate who escaped Mt Eden Prison using sheets tied together to make a rope has been caught by police.
Aaron Stephen Forden was recaptured in Papatoetoe this afternoon, after three days on the run.
Inspector Turepu Keenan said a member of the public spotted Forden and alerted police. He said there was a short chase before Forden was caught.
A witness said he saw three badly damaged cars at Hunter's Corner in Papatoetoe and police had closed off part of Great South Rd.
He said ambulances were on the scene and traffic had banked up at about 3pm this afternoon.
The 26 year-old was spotted climbing down his makeshift rope by a staff member and a member of the public walking past the prison about 6.15am on Monday.
Police have earlier said Forden faced charges of burglary and aggravated wounding relating to an incident in Blockhouse Bay in January. He was due to appear in court on May 21.
He also had a 2003 conviction for unlawful possession of a firearm and police warned the public not to approach him.
Corrections Minister Phil Goff last week announced there would be a $216 million overhaul of Mt Eden Prison.
He told the Herald that the upgrade would address some of the security problems of Mt Eden's outdated design.
"With the ability of outsiders to throw items such as drugs into open exercise yards, among other reasons, it is not satisfactory from a security point of view," Mr Goff said.
- NZHERALD STAFF
