A car thief evaded police by parking in a residential driveway and fleeing through the back yard.
The man stole a car from Union St, in Milton, overnight on Friday and drove it to Invercargill, Senior Sergeant Ben Butterfield said.
The car was spotted by Invercargill police in Morton St about 11am on Sunday. The patrol car then engaged in a ``very short pursuit'' with the fleeing felon.
The man turned into Centre St and into the driveway of a house in the street.
''Then the driver ran away through neighbouring properties,'' Snr Sgt Butterfield said.
''A police dog handler was called but was unable to locate the person.''
Police were calling for any sightings of the thief - described as a male wearing a grey hoodie and grey three-quarter length pants with a small goatee and short black hair - in the Centre St and Morton St area on Sunday morning.
- Invercargill police (03) 211-0400, Crimestoppers 0800 555 111.
