A man charged with 32 counts of armed robbery tried to escape from a police van, only months after he was rearrested, Pretoria police said.

A man charged with 32 counts of armed robbery tried to escape from a police van, only months after he was rearrested, Pretoria police said.

Constable Brenda Kgafela said the man was being transported with nine other men to the Pretoria high court from the central prison on Wednesday.

When the police van turned into Vermeulen Street, a car blocked its way.

Kgafela said: "The driver tried to turn around, but was blocked by another car."

He then drove on the pavement to the high court.

Kgafela said: "According to some of the suspects in the van, one suspect was talking to someone on a cellphone.

"The man with the phone had escaped from police custody earlier this year, but was rearrested."

Kgafela said the man had earlier escaped after an armed gang ambushed a police van near Pretoria train station.

"The gang approached the police van when it stopped at a robot and blocked it.

"Some held up the police and others broke the lock."

Kgafela said a case of attempted escape has been added to the suspect's list of alleged offences. - Sapa