KEY POINTS:
Porirua police are looking for a prisoner who escaped from a police van by forcing the door open, while it was en route to Rimutaka Prison from the Porirua Court.
Inspector Michael Coleman of central police communications said 24-year-old Zharn Craig Burns escaped at the Paremata roundabout, north
of Wellington.
A member of the public spotted Burns escape from the van and called the police to alert them.
Mr Coleman said non-sworn police staff were driving the vehicle. There was a grill separating the area the prisoners were in and the front seat, Mr Coleman said.
He was described as a Caucasian, with a solid build, 185cm tall, with blond hair tied in a pony tail.
He was wearing blue jeans, a grey sweat shirt and carrying a black jacket.
Mr Coleman said Burns was from the Kapiti area and should not be approached by the public.
- NZPA