AN EXCITING CHASE

Hokitika Guardian, 19 May 1933, Page 8

AN EXCITING CHASE

ALAN SUSPECTED OF THEFT

PURSUERS FINALLY ELUDED

TE .AROMA, May 17

An oxcitng chase of a suspected thief took., place in the . Brookfield and Waitoa f list riots, (but tiii-ei man os-

caped. . About 7.30 p.m.i a young man em•plcyed by Mr It. Watson, of No. 7 Jv. d, Broqkliidd, entered his room to find it rarpacked and his belongings strewn about The floor, At tlie same Lime he heal’d g bicycle near the front gate. Calling to his employer lie immediately gave chase- and witl M;fi AA'altpn ~ caught a cyclist about ! half-a-niile down the road to Waitoa. luVlmu questioned the nTm said he had been out visiting a resident or the sail e road ano had never been near Walton’s house..; Leaving him hreharge of two young 1 men Mr Walton returned to his home, , telephoned to the neighbour mentioned and discovered that ho had had ro Visitors. -Air' Waif lon then immediately informed tlie police and set out to bring tb? maii back to his home until the'police arrived. However, lie learned that the suspect had been permitted to-go, owing mainly to his insistent denial that he had been near Air AVialton’s house and his assertion that they had no right to detain him.

A second chare was given at once and ,the. fugitive ;ts sighted about tb re.?, mi his .down the road near the Waiton factory.'"’ Seeing lie was pursued ho. putani., nil -Kpgod nfld reached the factory buildings a few mintues he. fore his pursuers. . Then oomm-c-med an «x citing phase ninengthe buildings Hntl pmptv. .radwfiv trucks. Ahando; 1 - in.g his bicycle the man -soon silo'drff liis pursuers and though by tin’s .fc.ii.no many had, mined the search lie enuh} not lie .discover--L nd about H p.m, tlie scorch was abandoned. Tlie Incvclo has been handed over to the police.