Break-in at the police station

Matamata, NZ -- At least one member of a group of criminals was briefly locked in a cell after breaking into a New Zealand police station.

An unknown number of people broke in through the front door of the facility in Matamata, The Dominion Post reported Monday. The report said nothing was stolen.

No one was in the station at the time, but three staff members reportedly were on duty.

Police Sgt. Graham McGurk told the newspaper the police realized someone was in the station after an intruder accidentally locked himself in one of the holding cells and had to break through a glass area to get out.

"They got trapped in there. It's quite a modern station, so you need an electronic tab to get out," McGurk said.

The shattering of the window set off an alarm and police rushed into the station.

"We were within a minute of being there while they were still inside," said McGurk.

It is thought the intruders left through the front door as police entered through the back, the Post said.

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