Fleeing burglar jumps into river

The fate of a burglar who leapt into the Waikato River to avoid pursuing police early today is unknown.

The man was being chased after breaking into a Hamilton pharmacy early today.

He was seen swimming across the river but police said they did not know if he had made it out alive or if he had been caught in the current and drowned.

Senior Sergeant Eddie Carr said a boat would check the river today but there was little police could do.

"He could have got out but it was too dark to tell. We won't know (if he died) unless the body surfaces."

He said it was not unusual for missing people not to be reported missing, nor was it unusual for people being pursued by police to jump into the river.

"It has happened before to people. Some people come out, some people don't. We would like to know who he is," he said.

Mr Carr said the burglar probably had a police record.

- NZPA