'Houdini' still on the run

Aaron Stephen Forden, 29, fled last Friday after talking with his lawyer at Whangarei District Court. Photo / supplied

A fugitive, nick-named Houdini for his numerous escape acts, has been on the run from police for almost a week.

Aaron Stephen Forden, 29, who once used bed linen as ropes to slide down the outside wall of Auckland's Mt Eden Prison, fled last Friday after talking with his lawyer at Whangarei District Court, where he was due to appear on violence and dishonesty charges.

He forced a bar from the grill separating his area from that of the lawyer while alone in a secure interview room and disappeared.

Northland police spokeswoman Sarah Kennett told NZPA today that Forden was still at large.

"The search is continuing in Auckland and Northland because that is where he has contacts," she said.

Forden is described as Caucasian, about 175cm tall, of medium build.

He has short ginger hair and a goatee beard. He was last seen wearing a long-sleeved jacket, a black T-shirt, black jeans and black shoes.

Police urged people to report any sightings immediately and not to approach Forden if they saw him.

- NZPA