Robbie Coltrane on N.Z. wanted poster

CHRISTCHURCH, New Zealand, Aug. 7 (UPI) -- New Zealand police have issued a wanted poster that bears a picture of Robbie Coltrane due to the suspect's alleged resemblance to the actor.

The poster, which seeks a suspect in a serial burglary case, reads: "Robbie Coltrane is not the burglar, but imagine him aged 16 with lank, greasy hair and you have the picture," The Daily Telegraph reported Thursday.

Officers said they used Coltrane's picture on the poster because New Zealand law forbids police from publishing pictures of juvenile suspects.

The poster says the burglar uses a bicycle to travel to and from the scenes of his crimes.

"He will break windows to gain entry and ransack property, targeting electronic items, cash and jewelry," it reads.

Police Sgt. Phil Dean said police came up with the plan to use Coltrane's picture after the suspect's alleged resemblance to the actor was discovered.

"It's a provocative thing to get people to read our crime prevention information," Dean said. "Our interest is in shutting (the suspect) down, preventing him from committing any further crime."