Police in Hebei Province are trying to capture a prisoner who drove a crane to break out of a prison yesterday, China News Service reported today.

The fugitive, 28-year-old Xie Wanli, escaped from a prison in Baoding City at 10:10 pm by driving a crane at full speed past three security lines. He then smashed through the wall of the compound and escaped, according to a witness living near the prison, the report said.

The report didn't say how he obtained the vehicle.

Xie also crashed into several cars near a plaza in an attempt to delay the pursuit, the report said.

Xie, a Hebei native, was sentenced to 18 years in jail for robbery and kidnapping in 2005. He is bald, 1.65 meters tall and wore striped prison clothes when he escaped, the report said.

Police are on high alert and set up perimeters at the main provincial traffic junctions and toll road booths to apprehend the fugitive, the report said.

Police also have offered a reward of 100,000 yuan (US$14,065) to those who provide useful information that may lead to Xie's capture, the report said.

(Shanghai Daily, March 14, 2008)