Burglar who raided Key home goes back to jail

File photo / Dean Purcell

The professional thief who burgled John Key's multimillion-dollar mansion is back in prison.

Police arrested John Anthony Clark this week after warning homeowners in affluent Auckland suburbs to be extra vigilant before Christmas.

Clark is a prolific burglar with more than 170 convictions, and was jailed in July 2009 for five years and three months after admitting to a string of burglaries.

He took at least $100,000 of property over six months in 2007 - including from Mr Key's $7 million Parnell home - to feed his P addiction.

The 38-year-old Clark was paroled 12 months later, but breached the terms of his early release. He was supposed to have alcohol and drug counselling at the rehabilitation centre Odyssey House but discharged himself.

A prison recall warrant was issued in December and officers had been searching for him since.

Sergeant Russell Richards said police found Clark at an Avondale address at 11.20pm on Monday after a tip-off from the public. He was arrested and taken back to Mt Eden Prison the next day.

No court appearance is required with a prison recall warrant.

Mr Richards said there was nothing to suggest Clark had burgled houses during his time on the run.

Between 6.58pm and 8.05pm on July 7, 2007, while the Key family were on holiday in Hawaii, Clark scaled the 2m wall surrounding their St Stephens Ave property and jemmied open a window.

He stole watches, jewellery, an iPod, a handycam, a jewellery box, house keys and clothing belonging to Mr Key and his wife, Bronagh.

Clark did not know the burgled home belonged to Mr Key, now the Prime Minister but then the National Party leader.