Fugitive William Stewart looked relaxed for a brief appearance in the Christchurch District Court today following his early morning arrest in mid-Canterbury.
Stewart faces charges of dangerous driving, breaching his bail and release conditions, and possession of cannabis and utensils. Judge Brian Callaghan remanded him in custody without plea until June 10.
More charges related to his eight months on the run are likely to follow.
Stewart, whose thin face was framed by long, wild hair, raised both cuffed arms in the air above his head as he was led from court.
Stewart, who was unkempt with long hair and a thick beard, was well-fed and clean when he was arrested about 1am this morning near Mayfield, mid-Canterbury.
Christchurch area commander Malcolm Johnston said Stewart did not try to hide his identity. "He said, 'I've had a good run.'"
Police did not immediately recognise Stewart. "We didnt know, other than the fact he was still driving the same stolen car. We had to check his tattoos and marks on his body... and once we got him back to Christchurch we put his fingerprints through the scanner."
However, the fugitive who has been on the run since February did not deny who he was. "He said his name... and appeared relieved he'd been arrested," said Johnston. "He has just constantly been looking over his shoulder the whole time.
Police said Stewart did not smell, and appeared to have been eating well leading police to believe someone has been helping him.
"We believe he's been getting assistance. He looked quite unkempt but relatively well fed."
Asked if officers had broken open the champagne, Johnston said that would wait until the killer of prostitute Mellory Manning had been caught.
FARMERS TARGETED
Stewart was found after allegedly disturbing the Bailey family at their dairy farm in Mayfield.
Andrea Bailey said they were woken at around 1am by the dog barking and had seen a vehicle in their yard with its lights on.
She had woken to the sounds first, and said they rang 111. The man had fled once they turned their lights.
"His lights went out and he disappeared down the drive," she said adding that they had not seen him.
They had heard from the police to inform them the alleged offender had been caught but not heard any further details. She understood the man had been caught around 2km up the road.
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He was allegedly attempting to steal their quad bike but had not managed to get it out of the shed.
She said they had always been security conscious but it had been unnerving to know that the fugitive was in the area.
"It's nice that he's been caught, because you just [didn't] know where he is going to turn up next" she sai
SECURITY REMINDER
Police said lax security at rural Canterbury properties helped Stewart evade capture, and his arrest was a wake-up call to those who fail to lock houses and vehicle.
Rural properties were often kept less secure than city ones, Canterbury police district commander Superintendent Dave Cliff said.
Police claim that had made it easy for Stewart, 47, to steal vehicles, food and other items, and to stay on the run from police for three months.
"It's a good reminder for rural people, particularly around South Canterbury, that we really want them to take a little bit more care in terms of security, particularly around keys for vehicles, locking houses, all those basic things. . ." he told Radio New Zealand today.
"It's a good wake-up call and we don't want another individual to do the same sort of [thing]."
During his three months on the run, Stewart was thought to have stolen around six vehicles, including cars, 4x4s and a motorcycle.
He was arrested on a warrant, issued in October, but would face other charges, police said.
The months-long hunt began in earnest when he avoided arrest after threatening a police officer with a metal bar on February 10.
Stewart then went bush, evading police cordons and searches involving the armed offender's squad and police helicopters.
May 21 marked his 100th day on the run.
Stewart allegedly stole a number of vehicles, discarding each as he picked up a new one, amongst a spate of burglaries, including cold tablets and codeine from a number of Canterbury pharmacies.
A police raid on a property in Halswell, on the outskirts of Christchurch, where Stewart was believed to have lived during the manhunt, netted cannabis plants, weapons, more drugs and other stolen goods, police said.
Stewart became infamous for his efforts at evading capture, making international headlines and gaining fans on a Facebook page. His page was updated this morning to say he was captured.
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NorthJersey.com America's Most Wanted fugitive caught in Paterson.wmvby usg7On2,630 views
He was on our farm!!!!!
ellabella341 1 year ago
lol "100s and 100s of police vs 1 dude thats pretty good"
CheapSodaFace 2 years ago