THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

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WELLINGTON, N.Z. - Police hunting a teen burglar in the New Zealand city Christchurch have circulated a mug shot of 58-year-old British actor Robbie Coltrane who, they say, has a strong resemblance to their young suspect.

Posters bearing a photograph of Coltrane, who portrays the giant Hagrid in the "Harry Potter" movie series, were dropped by police this week in mailboxes around the city centre where the burglar has been most active.

"Robbie Coltrane is not the burglar," the poster says.

"But imagine him aged 16 with lank, greasy hair and you have the picture."

Barred by New Zealand law from publishing or circulating pictures of juvenile offenders, police hit on the idea of using a photo of Coltrane, who they say is similar in appearance to the burglar.

"It's a provocative thing to get people to read our crime-prevention information," Christchurch police Sgt. Phil Dean said Thursday after the posters were distributed.

Dean said police did not seek Coltrane's permission for the mail drop but said he believed he would support the initiative.

Coltrane portrayed the hard-drinking, crime fighting criminal psychologist Eddie Fitzgerald in the long-running British television series "Cracker."