Police will shoot fugitive if necessary

William Alexander Stewart. Photo / Supplied

Police hunting for William Alexander Stewart say they will shoot on sight if they have to.

Police say the escaper is a "certain danger" to police and the public, and is probably "feasting on the attention". He is no romantic folk hero, no Ned Kelly or George Wilder.

The pursuit of Stewart began in February as a routine arrest warrant.

But now, in what is turning into one of New Zealand's most high-profile manhunts, Stewart, 47, has busted at least two police cordons during his flight from armed police.

Police regard him as dangerous, having threatened officers with violence before.

He was released from Christchurch Men's Prison late last year, after serving time for kidnapping his partner, viciously assaulting her and holding her captive in a Nelson motel in 2007.

It is understood Stewart had been living between Christchurch and Timaru after his release from prison. A warrant to arrest him was issued in October after he was found growing cannabis - a breach of his release conditions.

Inspector Malcolm Johnston said a lone police officer spotted Stewart in Rangitata, South Canterbury, on February 10.

"A violent scuffle ensued, during which Stewart picked up a metal bar and threatened the officer," he said.

"The officer was forced to back off and Stewart jumped into a vehicle and took off."

Stewart has been on the run since. He is alleged to have stolen drugs from a Fairlie pharmacy on February 15, then from the Leeston pharmacy on March 18.

The next day, Halswell Chemist in Christchurch was ram-raided, and armed police set up a cordon near Governors Bay. He escaped that cordon and another in a stolen car.

The last suspected sighting was on Wednesday on the outskirts of Methven after thefts from a service station and another pharmacy.

Police say his offending is not serious - mainly burglaries and thefts - but his history of drug use, the likelihood that he is armed and has shown violence to police mean he is a threat to the safety of officers and the public.

Detective Senior Sergeant John Rae said in any armed offenders situation, officers were given a full briefing on their responsibilities under the law and police guidelines.

"Nobody wants the paperwork or the investigation into them as a result of shooting someone," he said.

"No one will be taking pot shots at him across a paddock. However, if that situation presents itself then that's what we will do."

"He is a real threat to the public," Rae added.

"There is no guarantee he is free of drugs. All you've got to do is hear a noise in your house at night, get up and he's pinned in a corner ... if you catch him in your house he's going to make a strenuous effort to get away."

The Herald on Sunday has learned police have spoken to Stewart's mother, who lives in South Canterbury, to former partners around the region and to known associates including men he met in prison.

"Most of those people have the attitude that he's more trouble than he's worth. He is bringing police into their lives when they don't want police in their lives," a source close to the investigation said.

"He doesn't have serious friends, more business associates. His best friends are his [drug] dealers and buyers. He seems to be quite a loner."

Since February 10, he is believed to have committed at least five house burglaries, stealing food and vehicles, including a motorbike and a Ford Falcon XR6 with a full tank of petrol.

The enormity of the area is making the police search difficult.

FAMOUS ESCAPES

William Alexander Stewart's South Island crime spree is similar to that of New Zealand's most famous escaper, "Gentleman" George Wilder - but police say he is no gentleman.

Wilder was infamous for breaking into houses while on the run from police and allegedly leaving apology and thank you notes for his victims. He was even said to have joined a search party looking for him.

In May 1962 Wilder broke out of a New Plymouth jail, where he was serving time for burglary and theft. He then eluded about 30 police, and a tracker dog for 65 days.

Wilder made his second jail break, from Mt Eden in January 1963, and was not recaptured till 172 days later, near Taupo. His final bid for freedom came in February 1964, again from Mt Eden.

Wilder and two others, armed with a sawn-off shotgun, kidnapped a warden and hid in a Mt Eden house, holding the residents hostage. Three hours later, under threat of tear gas, Wilder surrendered.

Prison escapees Kevin Polwart and Dean Vincent were also compared with Wilder.

Polwart evaded police for 41 days after breaking out of Rimutaka Prison in June 2001. Vincent was on the run for almost a year after escaping from Waikeria Prison in May 2000.