Motorists in Manawatu are being warned not to pick up hitch-hikers as they seek for a man on the run.

They're looking for an offender in the vicinity of Vinegar Hill reserve.

State Highway one travellers between Hunterville in the south and Ohingaiti in the north should not pick up any pedestrians.

Cordons are in place along State Highway 54 and motorists are asked to avoid this stretch of road.