Chase After Suspected Car Converters

Manawatu Times, Volume 69, Issue 66, 22 March 1944, Page 6

Chase After Suspected Car Converters

The police are making a widespread search for the occupants of a large brown sedan car, believed to have been stolen, which i*aced through Palmerston North on Sunday afternoon, and headed in a northerly direction after forcing off the road two cars driven by traffic inspectors who were pursuing the vehicle. The car sped over the Fitzherbert bridge at a speed estimated at nearly 80 miles an hour. A traffic inspector gave chase In his car and eventually drew abreast. As he did so, the pursued driver swung the wheel over, crashing the sedan into the side of the inspector’s car, which was forced off the road with the left side badly damaged. The sedan continued on its way at high speed. On the main road north of Palmerston North, another inspector gave chase. He also caught up with the car, but again the driver swerved suddenly and forced the Inspector ( to the side of the road. The sedan was swung across the road so sharply that a light trailer attached to it broke away. The sedan continued at breakneck speed. The inspector examined the trailer and found that it contained, in addition to bedding and camping gear, two cream cans filled with petrol. He went away to telephone the police. In his absence, the occupants of the car apparently returned to the trailer, collected the cans and continued their journey, as the cans had gone when tha inspector returned. It is reported that there were two men In the car.