Like a real life Lex Luther, one of Belgium's most dangerous criminals has escaped a Belgian prison by hijacking a helicopter Thursday, authorities said.

Ashraf Sekkaki, who had more than 16 convictions for violence, including kidnappings for ransom, and two fellow inmates, flew to the town of Aalter, then seized a black Mercedes from its female driver and robbed a service station before heading for the Belgian coast.

The Belga news agency quoted a Justice Ministry spokesperson as saying that one of the accomplices who flew the helicopter into the jail had been left behind, perhaps because there was not enough room for all to get away in the helicopter.