An armed robber who escaped from Rimutaka prison is back on the phone - once again taunting the police and saying he will not give himself up.
Just like two years ago, when he was on the run after an armed robbery in Paraparaumu, Kevin Polwart phoned One News.
"I intend to stay out, I basically embarrassed the prison system... That wasn't my intention, but it's happened that way," said Polwart.
Polwart said he escaped from prison because he feared police were about to charge him with other offences.
"If the police had left me alone I would still be serving my time... I was prepared to do my ten years but the police were not happy with that," he said.
Upper Hutt police say they do not know what Polwart is talking about, but say they will check his claims.
They do know he went shopping in Palmerston North at the Warehouse the day he disappeared, buying a sleeping bag, a torch and a raincoat.
Polwart then checked in at a central city backpackers, but stayed only a few hours before saying someone had come to give him a ride.
Polwart says all the outstanding $239,000 from the robbery has gone, but police are sceptical.
"If all the money's gone, somebody's been having a fair old time while he's cooped up in prison," said Inspector John Johnston of the Upper Hutt police.
Police say the clothing and camping equipment suggest he has gone bush or is looking for a hut to hide in for a while.
They hope he is still in the Manawatu area, and are asking hunters and trampers to alert them to anything unusual.
But Polwart says he will be keeping a low profile, and is so far ignoring police calls to give himself up again.
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