Intruder locks self in jail cell, then escapes

WELLINGTON, New Zealand - A bumbling intruder broke into an empty New Zealand police station and accidentally locked himself in a cell, but managed to smash his way out again just before authorities arrived.

Sgt. Graham McGurk yesterday said the person broke into the deserted police station in the town of Matamata on North Island on Saturday night through the front office.

The intruder went to the cell block, and was accidentally locked in when a self-closing door clicked shut.

As police rushed to respond to an intruder alarm at the post, the intruder used a wooden chair that was inside the cell to smash through a window - supposedly outfitted with shatterproof glass - to freedom.

Arriving officers could hear the intruder, but he fled as police were closing in, McGurk said.

Cops didn't known why the person broke into the station. Mc-Gurk said nothing was stolen. *