EKETAHUNA SENSATION

Hokitika Guardian, 22 May 1923, Page 1

EKETAHUNA SENSATION

AN EXCITING CHASE. MASTER-TON, -May IS. The usually quiet township of J'.ketaliuna, some thirty miles north ol Alastcrion. was yesterday aiternoon thrown into a state of tense excitement as ihe result ol a sensational chase after a man who was wanted by the police in connection with some burglaries at Alnslerton.

The perpetrator of these burglaries had keen disturbed on one occasion, and in making his escape had been seen by a young lady who was able to provide a fairly good description of him. This description was circulated throughout the AA'nirarapa, and yesterday aiternoon Constable A. Ede. of Eketahuna. accosted a man who gave his name us James, and who answered to the deesription.

During a convolution Bennett suddenly bolted, and wliat followed was a “thriller” and reminiscent of a cinema picture. Soon a large number of residents joined in the chase. Through the town ran Bennett with a crowd on lies heels like bloodhounds. Over the flats he went with an excited ancl steadily growing band of residents after him.

Bennett shaped his course towards the swimming pool, and put to shame many a cinema after by the manner in which he dived through the pool. He crossed the river and made for the elilfs with his pursuers hot after him. Gradually the residents closed on Bennett, and lie was finally captured after cue of tlie most thrilling and exciting experiences the l majority ol the pursuers had ever had.

At Hie police station he denied all knowledge of the thefts. Oil taking off his wet fletlirs a roll of fifteen notes fell out of his underclothing, and this corresponds with the sum of money allegedly taken, from the. residence of Afr ']’. T. Alutsen, at Lansdowne, a • 111 HI 11 > of Alasterton. A eon.-idera 1 amount of jewellery was also found oil Inin. Bennett was brougc.l (Fun to Alasterton, and appeared before the court to-day, being charged with the theft of a bicycle belonging to David Ale Lea.

Sergeant Sweeney said other charges were to be brought against Bennett, n 1 j-1 a remand to Thursday next "as granted. It is stated that the whole of the thefts were committed while the occupants were in their houses, and were c l a most daring character.