busy streets of Hamilton during rush hour.

But his flight was cut short by fast acting Police, five minutes after his escape.

Junior Maxwell Ming yesterday gave Police the slip after being escorted into Hamilton Police Station following a court appearance earlier in the morning.

The Royal Gazette understands that Ming managed to shake Police when someone opened the station's front door at 4 p.m.

While making good his escape, Ming knocked over a female cruise ship passenger. The woman was taken to King Edward VII Memorial Hospital for observation.

Neither Police nor hospital officials would comment last night on the woman's condition.

Ming fled along Reid Street, past Court Street, and took refuge on the second floor of a building between Le Figaro Restaurant and Quality Dry Cleaners.

"If that guy had been running the marathon, he would have won the race hands down,'' said bystander Joe Paul.

Police gave chase and within minutes some 14 Police officers, including a Police car and motorcycle, surrounded the building.

Officers went inside the building and shortly returned with a shouting Ming, restrained in handcuffs.

Ming, dressed in a green T-shirt and jeans, was escorted along the busy city street, back to Hamilton Police Station.

One witness told The Royal Gazette he could not understand how Ming was able to get away from the Police.

"It makes me wonder how these guys break away,'' said the man, who did not want to be identified. "It's too easy.'' But another witness applauded the Police for the "efficient'' way they handled the incident.

Ming was in Police custody after an early morning appearance in Magistrates' Court where he pleaded not guilty to burgling St. George's Preparatory School.

During his court appearance Ming, 33, of no fixed abode claimed: "Police probably feel that after being at St. Brendan's (psychiatric hospital) they can pick on me.'' Ming told Senior Magistrate Will Francis: "This is all just one big mix-up.'' Mr. Francis scheduled Ming's trial for October 27 and released him on $1,000 bail with one like surety. Ming had not made bail when he escaped yesterday and was remanded in custody last night. He is expected to appear in court again this morning.