Waikato River combed for missing burglar

A boat today combed the Waikato River at Hamilton looking for a burglar who jumped in to evade police.

The unidentified man was one of two men disturbed burgling a Hamilton pharmacy early today.

Police say while one man jumped into the river, the other took off along the riverbank.

Neither was found and Waikato police spokesman Tony Sasso told NZPA a boat had been on the river today fruitlessly searching for signs of the man who jumped in.

Senior Sergeant Eddie Carr said at the time of the incident it was too dark to know if the man had managed to swim across the river.

"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."

Mr Sasso said it was too early to know if either man could be identified by forensic evidence from the pharmacy.

- NZPA